Speak down to Meaning in English
expression
ˈspik/ /ˈdaʊn/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
SPEEK DOUN TOO, TUH, TIH
spˈiːk/ /dˈaʊn/ /tˈuː
SPEEK DOUN TOO
Definition
To speak to someone as if they are less intelligent or important; to talk in a way that shows you think you are superior.
Usage & Nuances
Usually negative and informal; often used when someone finds another person patronizing. Common with 'don't', as in 'Don't speak down to me.' It implies lack of respect. Used in disagreements or when criticizing someone's attitude.
Spanish: hablar con condescendencia - tratar con superioridadPortuguese (BR): falar de forma condescendente - tratar com superioridadePortuguese (PT): falar de forma condescendente - tratar com superioridadeChinese (Simplified): 以优越感对...说话 - 居高临下地说Chinese (Traditional): 以優越感對...說話 - 居高臨下地說Hindi: नीचा दिखाकर बात करना - ऊपर से बोलनाArabic: التحدث بتعالي - الحديث بازدراءBengali: উপেক্ষা করে কথা বলা - তাচ্ছিল্য করে কথা বলাRussian: свысока разговаривать - уничижительно говоритьJapanese: 見下したように話すVietnamese: nói chuyện với thái độ xem thường - nói kẻ cảKorean: 깔보듯이 말하다 - 무시하듯이 말하다Turkish: küçümseyerek konuşmak - üstten konuşmakUrdu: تحقیر آمیز انداز میں بات کرناIndonesian: meremehkan saat berbicara - bicara dengan nada merendahkan
Example Sentences
Please don't speak down to your classmates.
basic
He often speaks down to people at work.
basic
Teachers should not speak down to their students.
basic
Why do you always speak down to me when we disagree?
natural
She feels frustrated when her boss speaks down to her in front of others.
natural
I can understand your point without you speaking down to me.
natural