Part of speech: Verb
Phonetic transcription: /esteɾeotipaɾ/
Meaning: The word "estereotipar" in Spanish refers to the action of categorizing or labeling someone or something according to a fixed, oversimplified idea or image. It is often used to describe the act of reducing individuals or groups to certain preconceived notions or characteristics.
Usage: This word is more commonly used in written contexts, especially in academic or journalistic texts. It is not as frequent in everyday oral speech.
No deberíamos estereotipar a las personas por su nacionalidad.
Translation: We shouldn't stereotype people based on their nationality.
Es importante no estereotipar a las mujeres en roles tradicionales.
Translation: It's important not to pigeonhole women into traditional roles.
Idiomatic Expressions: Although "estereotipar" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions, there are other phrases in Spanish that are related to stereotyping:
1. Encasillar a alguien: To pigeonhole someone
No me gustaría ser encasillado en una única categoría.
Translation: I wouldn't like to be pigeonholed into a single category.
Juzgar a alguien por las apariencias: To judge someone by appearances
No es justo juzgar a alguien por las apariencias.
Translation: It's not fair to judge someone by appearances.
Etiquetar a alguien: To label someone
No deberíamos etiquetar a las personas sin conocerlas.
Translation: We shouldn't label people without knowing them.
Etymology: "Estereotipar" comes from the English word "stereotype," which originated in the printing industry to refer to a plate made from a mold that could be used to create multiple copies of the same design. Over time, the term evolved to also refer to fixed, oversimplified notions in a broader sense.
Synonyms: categorizar, etiquetar, encasillar
Antonyms: individualizar, tratar de manera única, evitar prejuicios