Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carterista | /kaɾteˈɾista/ | feminine, masculine |
| bolsista | /bolˈsista/ | Mexico, feminine, masculine |
| punguista | /punɡista/ (from spelling rules) | South America, feminine, masculine |
| chorizo | /t͡ʃoˈɾiθo/ /t͡ʃoˈɾiso/ |
Spain, colloquial, masculine |
A pickpocket is one who steals from the pocket of a passerby. Related verbs to describe the act of stealing this way include carterear, bolsear and punguear.
What does it mean word for word?
The word carterista is derived from cartera, which means purse or wallet.
Which one should you use?
While carterista is the standard term used across the Spanish-speaking world, various regional terms are more common in specific locales.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term chorizo is used colloquially in Spain to refer to a thief or pickpocket. In other contexts, ratero is an informal term for a pickpocket used in Mexico and some Central American countries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may use bolsista. In several South American countries, the term punguista is common. In Colombia, particularly in Bogotá, the term lanero is used to refer to a pickpocket.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms carterista, bolsista and punguista are used for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾteˈɾista/
Did you know?
- The term bolsista is used in Mexico to describe a pickpocket, but be careful when using it in other contexts, as it can also refer to a 'stock market analyst' or someone who works with 'stock exchanges'.
- The term punguista comes from the word pungir, which originally meant 'to prick' or 'to puncture', describing the sharp motion of a hand entering a pocket.
- The colloquial term chorizo for a thief comes from the Caló word chorar, which means 'to steal'.
Examples in context
- Él atrapo al carterista por el cuello.He seized the pickpocket by the collar.This sentence is useful for describing someone catching the carterista by the collar.Tatoeba #5609873 by albrusgher, translation #290377 by CK
- El rumor dice que ella es una carterista.Rumor says that she is a pickpocket.This sentence is useful for reporting a rumor about someone being a carterista.Tatoeba #4566708 by cueyayotl, translation #26644 by auxitt
- La policía detuvo al carterista en flagrante delito.The police arrested the pickpocket in the act.This sentence is useful for describing the police arresting a carterista in the act.Tatoeba #1584605 by Alba, translation #238210 by CK
- Mi amigo fue víctima de un carterista en el metro de Madrid.My friend fell victim to a pickpocket on the Madrid subway.
- No dejes tus objetos de valor a la vista, hay muchos rateros en esta zona.Don't leave your valuables in plain sight, there are many pickpockets in this area.
- ¡Cuidado con los carteristas!Watch out for pickpockets!
- ¡Soy víctima de un carterista!I'm a victim of a pickpocket!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are walking through a crowded market.
- ElenaTen cuidado, hay un carterista cerca.Be careful, there is a pickpocket nearby.
- Mateo¿En serio? Gracias por avisarme, Elena.Really? Thanks for warning me, Elena.
- ElenaEse carterista mira tu bolso fijamente.That pickpocket is staring at your purse.
- MateoVoy a guardar mis cosas ahora mismo.I am going to put my things away right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pickpocket” translations and entries carterista, bolsista, chorizo, 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 bolsista, carterista, chorizo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
