respetable

Respetable is a Spanish adjective derived from Latin respectabilis, meaning worthy of respect or deserving esteem. It can describe people, actions, or things that are socially acceptable, decent, or show proper conduct. For example, one might refer to a “persona respetable” or to “una conducta respetable,” indicating propriety or integrity. The term can also denote adequacy or modest magnitude, as in “un salario respetable” or “un ingreso respetable,” where it conveys a sense of sufficiency or respectability without implying exceptional merit.

In usage, respetable is common in formal or neutral contexts and can carry connotations of traditional or conventional propriety. It often describes social standing or reputed character, such as “una familia respetable,” referring to a family regarded as respectable within a community.

As a noun, the phrase el respetable refers to the audience or the general public present at an event, or more broadly to people regarded as respectable. For instance, “El respetable aplaudió al final” indicates the audience’s reaction, while “ante el respetable” denotes addressing the audience.

Related terms include respeto (respect), respetabilidad (the quality or state of being respectable, i.e., respectability), and respetuoso (respectful). The word contrasts with more negative phrases that imply disrepute and with terms denoting extraordinary merit, focusing instead on propriety, decency, and social esteem.