Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| estafador | /estafaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
| engañabobos | /enˌɡaɲaˈbobos/ | |
| trilero | /tɾiˈleɾo/ | masculine |
| embaucador | /embaukaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
The term is used to describe a person who operates scams or swindles others.
What does it mean word for word?
The word estafador is derived from the noun estafa, which means 'fraud' or 'scam'.
Which one should you use?
estafador is the standard term for a swindler. trilero specifically evokes the image of a street con artist, such as someone running a shell game or a rigged card game. Finally, embaucador is used to describe a deceiver or someone who uses trickery to mislead others.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While estafador is a standard term for a swindler, engañabobos is a more colorful, informal term. For a more formal or literary tone, you may use embaucador. If you want to use a derogatory term, use trilero. You may also use the informal term tramposo, which translates to 'cheater' or 'trickster'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is estafador. To refer to a female con artist, change the ending to estafadora.
How do you pronounce it?
/estafaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- The term engañabobos is a compound word that literally translates to 'deceiver of fools'. It is a playful, somewhat condescending way to describe someone who targets people's gullibility.
- While estafador is a general term, trilero refers specifically to the tricksters who play 'trile', a Spanish version of the three-shell game.
- The ending -dor in estafador and embaucador descends from the Latin suffix -tor, which was used to denote an agent or a doer.
Examples in context
- Trump es lo que algunas personas llamarían un estafador profesional.Trump is what some people would call a professional con artist.This sentence demonstrates the use of estafador to describe a professional con artist.Tatoeba #12994336 by rul, translation #7675960 by DostKaplan
- Debemos estar atentos a los estafadores que buscan aprovecharse de la gente vulnerableWe must be vigilant against con artists who seek to take advantage of vulnerable people
- La policía arrestó a un conocido timador que operaba en la ciudadThe police arrested a well-known con artist who operated in the city
- No confíes en ese hombre, es un embustero que solo busca aprovecharse de la buena fe de los demásDon't trust that man, he's a con artist who only seeks to take advantage of the goodwill of others
- Ese tipo es un timador, no creas ni una palabra de lo que diceThat guy is a con artist, don't believe a word he says
- El tramposo ese nos engañó a todos con su esquema de negociosThat con artist tricked all of us with his business scheme
- Ese pillo logró sacarle dinero a todos con su último engañoThat con artist managed to get money from everyone with his latest fraud
- Ese hombre es un estafador peligroso.That man is a dangerous con artist.
- La policía atrapó al estafador ayer.The police caught the con artist yesterday.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about a suspicious person they met.
- Mateo¿Crees que él era un estafador?Do you think he was a con artist?
- ElenaSí, Mateo, parecía un estafador muy profesional.Yes, Mateo, he seemed like a very professional con artist.
- MateoMenos mal que no le dimos dinero.It's a good thing we didn't give him money.
- ElenaTienes razón, tuvimos mucha suerte.You're right, we were very lucky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “con artist” translations and entries estafador, engañabobos, trilero, embaucador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries embaucador, engañabobos, estafador, trilero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
