cártel
/ˈkaɾtel/
The English word "cartel" is translated into Spanish as cártel. Wiktionary also lists cartel.
Meaning: group of businesses or nations that collude to fix prices (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cártel | /ˈkaɾtel/ | |
| cartel | /kaɾˈtel/ | masculine |
The term is used to describe a group of businesses or nations that collude to fix prices. It is also frequently used in news media to refer specifically to organized crime groups, such as a cártel de la droga (drug cartel).
Which one should you use?
The accented form cártel refers to a business or political cartel. In many Spanish-speaking regions, the unaccented form cartel is used to mean a poster or sign.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American countries, the term narcocártel is commonly used to refer specifically to drug cartels.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form cartel is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaɾtel/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word cartel can refer to a formal challenge to a duel, reflecting its history as a written notification.
- Spanish actually borrowed the term for a price-fixing group from English, which had first taken it from the German Kartell.
- The word cartel is a linguistic 'false friend' for many English speakers. While in English it almost always implies a shady monopoly or crime, in Spanish, it is the standard, everyday word for a public notice, flyer, or poster.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué dice el cartel?What does the cartel say?The sentence is useful for asking what a specific cartel (poster or sign) says.Tatoeba #4877665 by wallebot, translation #9152135 by rafaeldejesus8199
- El gobierno está tomando medidas enérgicas contra el cártel de drogas.The government is taking strong measures against the drug cartel.
- El tribunal condenó a los miembros de la asociación ilícita por su participación en el cartel.The court convicted the members of the illicit association for their involvement in the cartel.
- Los narcocárteles siguen siendo una amenaza para la estabilidad de la región.Drug cartels continue to be a threat to the stability of the region.
- La policía desarticuló un cártel de la droga en una operación conjunta.The police dismantled a drug cartel in a joint operation.
- El cártel de la energía controla los precios.The energy cartel controls the prices.
- Los países formaron un cártel para exportar petróleo.The countries formed a cartel to export oil.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing economic news at a cafe.
- DanielSofía, ¿has leído sobre el nuevo cártel de acero?Sofía, have you read about the new steel cartel?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, es un problema para los consumidores.Yes, Daniel, it is a problem for consumers.
- DanielEse cártel va a subir los costos pronto.That cartel is going to raise costs soon.
- SofíaEs una situación muy difícil para el mercado.It is a very difficult situation for the market.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cartel” translations and entries cártel, cartel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cartel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
