preguntón
Lemma Details
Translation: inquisitive; nosy; curious; questioning; interrogative
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish verb 'preguntar' (to ask, to question) with the augmentative suffix '-ón', which intensifies the meaning. The root comes from Latin 'percontari' (to inquire thoroughly), which was formed from 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'contari' (to question). The suffix '-ón' often adds a sense of excess or intensity to the base word, suggesting someone who asks too many questions.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 70%
Register: informal
Example Usage
Mi sobrino es muy preguntón, siempre quiere saber el porqué de todo.
My nephew is very inquisitive, he always wants to know the reason for everything.
No seas tan preguntón, eso es un asunto privado.
Don't be so nosy, that's a private matter.
Los periodistas preguntones consiguieron toda la información.
The inquisitive journalists got all the information.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'preguntón' as someone who keeps pressing the 'question button'
- The '-ón' ending makes it sound bigger - like a 'big questioner'
- Remember it as 'pre-gunt-ón' - someone who is 'pre-programmed' to 'grunt' questions at you
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, being 'preguntón' can have both positive and negative connotations. While curiosity is valued in educational contexts, excessive questioning, especially about personal matters, may be seen as impolite or intrusive. Children are often playfully called 'preguntones' when they go through phases of asking many questions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both refer to someone who asks questions, 'preguntón' has a more informal, sometimes negative connotation suggesting excessive questioning, while 'preguntador' is more neutral and formal.
Confused word:
El preguntador levantó la mano para hacer otra consulta.
The questioner raised his hand to make another inquiry.
Notes: 'Preguntón' is more commonly used in everyday speech, while 'preguntador' appears in more formal contexts.
Mnemonic: The '-ón' ending in 'preguntón' suggests excess, while 'preguntador' sounds more formal and controlled.