Chutzpah
Meaning: Extreme self-confidence, audacity, or nerve — can be admired or criticized depending on context.
Chutzpah (pronounced 'HOOTZ-pah') describes someone who has incredible nerve or boldness. It can be positive ('she had the chutzpah to start her own company at 19') or negative ('he had the chutzpah to show up late and then complain about the food'). The classic definition: a man who kills his parents and then pleads for mercy because he's an orphan.
Examples
- You gotta admire her chutzpah — she asked the CEO for a raise on her first day. 不得不佩服她的chutzpah——入职第一天就向CEO提加薪。Hay que admirar su chutzpah — le pidió un aumento al director general en su primer día.彼女のchutzpahは認めなきゃ——入社初日にCEOに昇給を頼んだんだから。그녀의 chutzpah는 인정해야 해 — 입사 첫날에 CEO한테 월급 인상을 요청했거든.
- He had the chutzpah to cut the entire line and act like nothing happened. 他竟然有chutzpah(胆量)插队,还一副若无其事的样子。Tuvo la chutzpah de colarse en toda la fila y actuar como si nada.あいつは列に割り込んで何食わぬ顔をするchutzpahがあったよ。그 녀석은 줄 전체를 새치기하고 아무 일 없다는 듯 행동할 chutzpah가 있었어.
- Starting a restaurant with zero experience takes real chutzpah. 零经验就开餐厅,这需要真正的chutzpah。Abrir un restaurante sin ninguna experiencia requiere verdadera chutzpah.経験ゼロでレストランを始めるには本物のchutzpahが必要だ。경험 제로로 레스토랑을 시작하려면 진짜 chutzpah가 필요하지.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: casual conversation, business, storytelling
Tone: impressed or indignant
✓ Do Say
- That takes real chutzpah.这真需要chutzpah(胆量)。Eso requiere verdadera chutzpah.それは本当にchutzpahがいるね。그건 진짜 chutzpah가 필요한 일이야.
- You gotta have chutzpah in this business.在这行你得有chutzpah才行。Hay que tener chutzpah en este negocio.この業界ではchutzpahがないとやっていけない。이 바닥에서는 chutzpah가 있어야 해.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't mispronounce it as 'CHUTS-pah' with a CH sound — the CH is pronounced like a guttural H不要把CH发成'吃'的音——CH应该发类似喉音的HNo lo pronuncies como 'CHUTS-pa' con sonido CH — la CH se pronuncia como una H gutural「チャツパ」とCHの音で発音しないこと——CHはのどの奥から出す「ハ」のような音で発音するCH를 영어식 'ㅊ' 소리로 발음하지 말 것 — CH는 목 깊은 곳에서 나는 거친 'ㅎ' 소리로 발음한다
Origin & History
From the Yiddish 'khutspe,' ultimately from Hebrew 'ḥuṣpā' meaning impudence. Entered American English through New York's Jewish communities and became one of the most widely adopted Yiddish words in the English language.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: New York City — Yiddish-origin, now used nationally in educated circles
More From This Topic
More from Regional: Northeast / NYC
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