acusado
/akuˈsado/
The English phrase 'indicted' is translated to Spanish as acusado.
acusado means someone who has been formally charged with a serious crime by a legal authority. In legal settings, you may also encounter the verb acusar (to accuse), the verb imputar (to indict or accuse) or the phrase formular cargos (to bring charges). Additionally, the expression enfrentar cargos is used to mean 'to face charges.' While acusado is the standard term for 'indicted,' it also serves as the general word for 'accused' in both legal and everyday contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term procesar is used in legal contexts to express being indicted and formalizar la imputación is a precise, formal way to refer to the indictment process. In Argentina, the phrase elevar a juicio is used to describe formally indicting a suspect and taking the case to trial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of acusado must match the gender and number of the person or people being indicted: use acusada for a female, acusados for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and acusadas for a group of only women. When specifying the crime or charge, the adjective acusado must be followed by the preposition de (e.g., acusado de…).
How do you pronounce it?
/akuˈsado/
Did you know?
- In Argentina, a person is not just 'indicted' but is often described as being elevado a juicio, which literally translates to 'raised to trial'.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the phrase en calidad de acusado is used in formal documents to specify that a person is appearing in court specifically as the indicted party and not as a witness.
- While acusado is the standard term for 'indicted', in many Spanish-speaking legal systems, a person is referred to as el imputado until the judge decides there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
Examples in context
- El presidente de la compañía fue acusado de pagar comisiones clandestinas.The company president was indicted for paying kickbacks.This sentence shows how to use acusado to describe someone being indicted for a specific action.Tatoeba #6863885 by albrusgher, translation #265377 by CM
- Juan fue acusado de varios delitos graves.Juan was indicted for multiple serious crimes.
- La fiscalía formuló cargos contra el sospechoso.The prosecution brought charges against the suspect.
- La jueza imputó al acusado por fraude.The judge indicted the accused for fraud.
- Dicen que José es acusado de evasión de impuestos.They say that José is accused of tax evasion.
- El sospechoso fue acusado formalmente por el juez.The suspect was formally indicted by the judge.
- El exgobernador fue acusado de fraude.The former governor was indicted for fraud.
- Fue acusado de un delito grave.He was indicted for a serious crime.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing a news report at a cafe.
- Lucía¿Viste las noticias sobre el político?Did you see the news about the politician?
- JavierSí, finalmente fue acusado de robo.Yes, he was finally indicted for theft.
- LucíaEs un caso muy impactante.It is a very shocking case.
- JavierEspero que se haga justicia.I hope justice is served.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry acusado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
