impertinence

/ɪmˈpɜːtɪnəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈpɜːrtnəns/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nən(t)s -ˈpərt-nən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

impertinence — noun

  • impertinencesingular
  • impertinencesplural

1. Boldly disrespectful speech or behaviour, typically when a younger person or som

1.名詞B2
釋義

Boldly disrespectful speech or behaviour, typically when a younger person or someone with less authority speaks to or acts towards an older person or superior in a cheeky or insulting way.

例句

The student teacher warned Kim she would not tolerate any more impertinence from the class.

collocation: tolerate impertinence

Auntie Mei scolded her nephew for his impertinence when he laughed at her homemade dumplings.

impertinence + for + -ing form

同義詞
  • insolence

    stronger and more confrontational than impertinence; implies open contempt

  • rudeness

    broader and more common; covers any discourteous behaviour, not only toward superiors

  • disrespect

    more general; can apply to attitudes as well as actions

  • cheek

    British informal; lighter in tone, often used for playful disrespect

反義詞
  • respect

    showing proper regard for someone's authority or age

  • politeness

    behaviour that follows social rules of courtesy

文法句型

impertinence + of + -ing form

impertinence + in + -ing form

show/tolerate/dismiss impertinence

用法筆記

Often describes verbal rudeness by a younger or less powerful person toward an elder or authority figure. The word is more common in formal and literary British English than in everyday American conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The toddler showed impertinence by refusing to eat his vegetables.
✅The toddler showed defiance by refusing to eat his vegetables.
💡Impertinence specifically involves disrespectful words or bold behaviour toward a person, not simply failing to follow instructions.
❌She was punished for her impertinence of stealing the money.
✅She was punished for stealing the money.
💡Impertinence refers to rude speech or cheeky behaviour, not to theft or other serious wrongdoing.