topo
/ˈtopo/masculine
The English word "mole" translates to Spanish as topo.
The term topo refers to the burrowing insectivore. Metaphorically, just like in English, it is used to refer to a spy or an informant within an organization. Note that while the word for the animal is topo, the term for the Mexican sauce is mole, such as Mole poblano which refers specifically to the traditional mole from the city of Puebla, Mexico or Mole negro which translates to black mole.
Meaning: burrowing insectivore (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtopo/.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word topo is a cognate of the English color 'taupe', reflecting the grey-brown fur of the animal.
- While topo is the word for the animal, the Mexican sauce 'mole' comes from the Nahuatl word mōlli, which simply means 'sauce'.
- Unlike the English word 'mole', which describes both the animal and a skin growth, Spanish uses topo for the animal and lunar for the skin mark.
Examples in context
- Parece que tenemos un topo entre nosotros.It seems as though we have a mole in our midst.This sentence shows how to use topo to describe a mole in one's midst.Tatoeba #3787163 by cueyayotl, translation #1955345 by _undertoad
- Sabíamos que teníamos al menos un topo en la organización.We knew that we had at least one mole in the organization.This sentence demonstrates the use of topo when referring to an informant in an organization.Tatoeba #13470296 by Seael, translation #13472666 by frpzzd
- Con un topo no se puede hablar sobre las estrellas, no las puede ver.You can't talk to a mole about the stars, they can't see them.This sentence uses topo in a sentence about the limitations of a mole.Tatoeba #10201771 by Shishir, translation #12949824 by araneo
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are looking at a hole in the garden.
- MaríaMira este agujero, creo que hay un topo.Look at this hole, I think there is a mole.
- MateoSí, el topo está destruyendo todo el jardín.Yes, the mole is destroying the whole garden.
- MaríaTenemos que sacar al topo de aquí pronto.We have to get the mole out of here soon.
- MateoLlamaré a un experto en topos mañana.I will call a mole expert tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mole” translations and entries topo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries topo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
