patronise
gb/pˈætɹənɪs/ us/pˈætɹənɪs/
B2
English
lekezel, odajár, pártfogol, támogat
VERB
B2
1
lekezel
B2
Usage pattern:
patronise [someone]
I appreciate the advice, but please don’t patronise me.
Értékelem a tanácsot, de kérlek, ne kezelj le.
She meant well, but her explanation came across as patronising.
Jót akart, de a magyarázata lekezelőnek hatott.
He hated being patronised by people who assumed he didn’t understand the basics.
Learner examples
Please don’t patronise me.
Kérlek, ne kezelj le.
He spoke to her in a patronising way.
Lekezelően beszélt vele.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with patronise meaning ‘to be a customer of’ (more common in British English).
Meaning
treat someone condescendingly
Collocations
patronise someone
|feel patronised
|sound patronising
|a patronising tone
|a patronising smile
|find it patronising
|stop patronising me
|talk in a patronising way
|deeply patronising
|unintentionally patronising
Synonyms
condescend to (More formal and often suggests a deliberate attitude of superiority.)
|
talk down to (More informal; focuses on how someone speaks.)
Antonyms
respect (Treat someone as capable and worthy of equal consideration.)
|
take seriously (Treat someone’s views or ability as important and credible.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
|emotions
|work
Definition
to talk to someone like they are stupid or like a child
To speak to or behave toward someone as if they are less intelligent, less experienced, or less important than you.
VERB
B2
2
odajár
B1
Usage pattern:
patronise [place/business]
We try to patronise independent cafés rather than big chains.
Igyekszünk inkább független kávézókba járni, nem nagy láncokhoz.
Tourists patronise the market on Saturdays, so it gets very crowded.
A turisták szombaton sokan járnak a piacra, ezért nagyon zsúfolt lesz.
If you patronise this bookstore, you’re supporting a local business.
Learner examples
We patronise a small restaurant near our home.
A lakásunk közelében lévő kis étterembe járunk.
Do you patronise this gym?
Ebbe az edzőterembe jársz?
Common mistake:
Common in British English; in American English, many speakers prefer frequent or go to to avoid confusion with the ‘condescending’ meaning.
Meaning
be a regular customer of
Collocations
patronise a restaurant
|patronise a shop
|patronise a bar
|patronise a café
|patronise local businesses
|patronise independent stores
|patronise the same place
|regularly patronise
|patronise a service
|patronise a venue
Synonyms
frequent (Emphasises visiting often; sounds slightly formal.)
|
shop at (Neutral and very common; focuses on shopping rather than loyalty.)
Antonyms
avoid (Choose not to go to a place or use a business.)
|
boycott (Avoid a business deliberately as a protest.)
Themes
daily_life
|shopping
|food_and_drink
|business
Definition
to go to a shop or restaurant as a customer, often regularly
To use a shop, restaurant, or other business regularly; to be a customer of it.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
patronise [artist/organization/activity]
In earlier centuries, wealthy families often patronised composers and painters.
A korábbi évszázadokban a tehetős családok gyakran pártfogolták a zeneszerzőket és a festőket.
The foundation patronises several young writers through grants and mentoring.
Az alapítvány ösztöndíjakkal és mentorálással több fiatal írót pártfogol.
The exhibition was patronised by local businesses and private donors.
Learner examples
The company patronises a local arts festival.
A vállalat támogat egy helyi művészeti fesztivált.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with the more common meaning ‘to speak to someone in a rude, superior way’.
Meaning
support financially as a patron
Collocations
patronise the arts
|patronise an artist
|patronise a writer
|patronise a theatre
|patronise an institution
|patronise a charity
|wealthy patrons patronise
|historically patronised
|heavily patronised
|corporations patronise
Synonyms
support (Broader and more common; does not specifically imply the patron role.)
|
sponsor (Often implies a defined arrangement or public association.)
Antonyms
withdraw support (Stop providing help or funding.)
Themes
arts
|culture
|business
|charity
Definition
to support someone (especially in the arts) with money or help
To support an artist, organization, or activity by giving money, influence, or other help, especially in a continuing way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patronise
IPA
GB/pˈætɹənɪs/
US/pˈætɹənɪs/
Syllables & stress
pat - ron - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pat)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: patronise
- 3rd Person Singular: patronises
- Present Participle: patronising
- Past: patronised
Word family
Forms
patronises
verb
patronising
verb
patronised
verb
Core family
Related words
Expressions
don't patronise me!
1/dˈoʊnt pˈætɹənɪs mˈi ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
protest condescending treatment
Stop talking to me like I’m stupid.
Examples
- ‘I can manage, thanks.’ ‘Okay, okay—don’t patronise me!’
- When he started explaining the obvious, she snapped, ‘Don’t patronise me!’
- ‘Don’t patronise me!’ he said, ‘I know exactly what I’m doing.’
Learner examples
- Don’t patronise me. I understand.
in a patronising tone
1/ˈɪn ə pˈætɹənɪsɪŋ tˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
condescending way of speaking
speaking like the other person is a child
Examples
- He told me, in a patronising tone, to ‘leave the complicated bits to the experts’.
- She thanked him in a patronising tone that made the compliment feel insulting.
- Don’t explain it in a patronising tone—just tell me what I need to do.
Learner examples
- He spoke in a patronising tone.