hutzpah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “hutzpah” mean?
Extreme self-confidence or audacity, often to the point of being shocking or rude.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Extreme self-confidence or audacity, often to the point of being shocking or rude.
A quality of boldness, nerve, or gall, especially when displayed in a way that disregards social norms or conventions. It can carry both positive (admirable courage) and negative (shameless arrogance) connotations depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'chutzpah' is more common in both varieties, but 'hutzpah' is an accepted variant. The word is understood in the UK but used less frequently than in the US.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can be admiring or critical. In American English, due to greater cultural familiarity with Yiddish terms, its usage is more nuanced and common.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “hutzpah” in a Sentence
[Subject] has the hutzpah to [infinitive verb phrase]It takes hutzpah to [infinitive verb phrase][Subject]'s hutzpah is astonishingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe aggressive, unconventional business tactics or negotiations. 'It took real hutzpah to ask for a 50% raise after missing his targets.'
Academic
Rarely used in formal academic writing. May appear in cultural studies, sociology, or linguistics papers discussing loanwords or cultural concepts.
Everyday
Used to comment on someone's shocking or admirable boldness in social situations. 'The hutzpah of him turning up uninvited!'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hutzpah”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hutzpah”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hutzpah”
- Misspelling as 'hutzpa', 'hutspa', or 'chutzpa'.
- Using it in overly formal contexts where it sounds jarring.
- Pronouncing the 'tz' as /ts/ instead of the correct /t.sp/ cluster.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Chutzpah' is the more common and standard transliteration from Yiddish. 'Hutzpah' is an accepted English variant spelling.
It is context-dependent. It can be positive (admiring incredible boldness) or negative (condemning shameless audacity). The tone of the speaker and the situation define its connotation.
It is pronounced as a /t/ sound followed immediately by an /s/ sound, not as a single /ts/ sound. Think 'hut' + 'spa'.
It is generally considered informal. In formal writing, synonyms like 'audacity', 'temerity', or 'boldness' are more appropriate, unless specifically discussing the Yiddish term itself.
Extreme self-confidence or audacity, often to the point of being shocking or rude.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That takes some hutzpah!”
- “He's got hutzpah, I'll give him that.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone shouting 'HUT!' at a referee with sheer audacity, then adding a casual 'spah' as if it's nothing. HUT-ZPAH = shocking boldness.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUDACITY IS A SOLID, MEASURABLE SUBSTANCE (e.g., 'sheer hutzpah', 'a lot of hutzpah').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hutzpah' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?