Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| violencia doméstica | /bjolenθja domestika/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /bjolensja domestika/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| violencia de género | /bjoˌlenθja de ˈxeneɾo/ /bjoˌlensja de ˈxeneɾo/ |
feminine |
| violencia intrafamiliar | /bjolenθja intɾafamiljaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /bjolensja intɾafamiljaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| malos tratos | /malos tɾatos/ (from spelling rules) | Spain, masculine |
Which one should you use?
violencia doméstica refers specifically to the domestic setting. violencia intrafamiliar is a broader formal term that encompasses any violence occurring between family members, regardless of whether they live in the same household. violencia de género is a more specific legal and sociological term used to describe violence directed at women because of their gender.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase violencia de género is used to refer to domestic violence. In Spain, the phrase malos tratos is frequently used in legal and media contexts to refer to domestic or gender-based abuse.
How does it change in a sentence?
violencia doméstica is a feminine singular noun phrase. violencia intrafamiliar and violencia de género are also feminine. malos tratos is a masculine plural noun phrase.
Did you know?
- The term malos tratos translates literally to 'bad treatments', which sounds more like a medical error in English than a description of physical abuse.
- The word género in violencia de género comes from the Latin 'genus', meaning 'kind' or 'type', which is the same root that gives English the word 'genre'.
- In Spain, the phrase malos tratos is so deeply embedded in the legal system that it is often used in official police reports where an English speaker would expect 'domestic violence'.
Examples in context
- Ella fue víctima de violencia doméstica.She was the victim of domestic violence.This sentence shows how to use violencia doméstica to describe a victim.Tatoeba #1686420 by Shishir, translation #1676721 by Spamster
- La violencia doméstica es un problema grave en nuestra sociedadDomestic violence is a serious problem in our society
- La violencia intrafamiliar afecta a menudo a mujeres y niñosDomestic violence often affects women and children
- La violencia familiar es un problema que debemos abordarDomestic violence is an issue we must address
- El maltrato doméstico no debe ser tolerado bajo ninguna circunstanciaDomestic violence should not be tolerated under any circumstances
- No podemos ignorar el impacto del maltrato doméstico en nuestra comunidadWe cannot ignore the impact of domestic violence in our community
- La violencia doméstica es un problema grave en nuestra sociedad.Domestic violence is a serious problem in our society.
Example conversation
Two social workers are discussing a new government campaign.
- MaríaDaniel, debemos crear más programas contra la violencia doméstica.Daniel, we must create more programs against domestic violence.
- DanielTienes razón, María, es un tema muy urgente.You are right, María, it is a very urgent issue.
- María¿Crees que la prevención ayudará a las víctimas?Do you think prevention will help the victims?
- DanielSí, la educación es la clave para combatir la violencia doméstica.Yes, education is the key to combating domestic violence.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “domestic violence” translations and entries violencia doméstica, violencia de género, violencia intrafamiliar, malos tratos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, género, intrafamiliar, malos tratos, violencia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
