The word "trepa" is a noun in Spanish.
/tɾe.pa/
"Trepa" generally refers to someone who climbs or ascends something, but in a colloquial context, especially in countries like El Salvador and Peru, it usually carries a negative connotation. It describes a person who is overly ambitious, perhaps to the point of being unscrupulous in their methods to achieve personal or professional gain. The frequency of use for "trepa" is moderate, commonly appearing in spoken language more than in written texts due to its colloquial nature.
"That climber only cares about his rise in the company."
"No confío en él porque siempre ha sido un trepa."
The word "trepa" is an essential part of various idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are some examples:
"He is a top climber." (implying someone is very ambitious in a negative way)
"No seas trepa y trabaja duro."
"Don't be a climber and work hard." (advising against unethical ambition)
"El trepa siempre encuentra la manera de estar en el lugar adecuado."
"The climber always finds a way to be in the right place." (indicating their knack for leveraging situations)
"A los trepas les encanta hacer alianzas."
The word "trepa" comes from the verb "trepar," which means "to climb." It is derived from the Latin term "trepare," which also means to climb or scale. Over time, "trepa" evolved to carry the additional meanings associated with opportunism and unethical ambition.
Synonyms: - Ambicioso (ambitious) - Escalador (climber)
Antonyms: - Humilde (humble) - Modesto (modest)