condescend

/ˌkɒndɪˈsend/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːndɪˈsend/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkän-di-ˈsend/ (ame, mw)

condescend — 動詞

  • condescendpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • condescendshe / she / it
  • condescendedpast simple
  • condescending-ing form

1. to agree, often with noticeable reluctance, to perform a task or action that you

1.動詞不及物C1
釋義

屈尊；俯就

放下身段做低一等的事

to agree, often with noticeable reluctance, to perform a task or action that you consider too humble or low for someone of your rank, status, or importance

例句

The ambassador finally condescended to shake hands with the junior diplomats after the ceremony.

那位大使終於屈尊，典禮後和初級外交官們握手。

condescend + to-infinitive showing reluctant agreement

Amara would not condescend to eat at a street-food stall, insisting on a five-star restaurant instead.

Amara 不願屈尊去路邊攤吃飯，堅持要上五星級餐廳。

同義詞
  • deign

    more formal and literary; suggests even stronger reluctance

  • stoop

    implies a greater loss of dignity by agreeing; often with 'stoop so low as to'

文法句型

condescend + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person of high rank, status, or reputation. Frequently used in past tense with a tone of criticism or irony — the speaker implies the person should have acted sooner or more willingly.

常見錯誤

❌She condescended to help the poor.' (sounds sarcastic or critical).
✅She volunteered to help at the shelter.
💡'condescend' carries a negative tone of reluctant superiority, not simple generosity.

2. to speak or behave toward someone as if you think you are more intelligent, impo

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

擺架子；高傲

表現出高人一等的態度

to speak or behave toward someone as if you think you are more intelligent, important, or socially superior than they are

例句

The professor spoke to the students in a condescending tone, as if they could not possibly grasp the material.

那位教授用居高臨下的語氣對學生說話，好像他們根本無法理解課程內容。

condescending tone — common adjective-noun collocation

Wei disliked the way his cousin would condescend to him whenever they discussed art or music.

Wei 不喜歡他表弟每次談到藝術或音樂時就對他擺出一副高高在上的樣子。

condescend + to + person

同義詞
  • patronize

    very similar meaning; slightly less formal

  • talk down to

    informal phrasal verb; focuses on speech rather than general attitude

  • look down on

    focuses on the attitude of superiority rather than the act of showing it

反義詞
  • respect

    treat someone as an equal

  • defer to

    show humble respect, the opposite of acting superior

文法句型

condescend + to/preposition + person

condescending + tone/manner/smile/attitude

用法筆記

This sense is far more common than sense 1 in modern English. The adjective 'condescending' appears even more frequently than the verb. The behaviour described is usually communicated through tone of voice, choice of words, or facial expression rather than through explicit statements.

常見錯誤

❌He was condescending to help me.' (mixes sense 1 with sense 2).
✅He helped me in a condescending way.' or 'He condescended to help me.
💡the first uses the adjective meaning patronizing; the second uses the verb meaning he reluctantly agreed.