esquema piramidal
/eskema piɾamidal/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "pyramid scheme" can be translated into Spanish as esquema piramidal. If unsure, use esquema piramidal. Wiktionary also lists estafa de pirámide and fraude de pirámide empresarial.
Meaning: illicit money-making scheme (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| esquema piramidal | /eskema piɾamidal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| estafa de pirámide | /estafa de piɾamide/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| fraude de pirámide empresarial | /fɾaude de piɾamide empɾesaɾjal/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
All these terms refer to an illicit money-making scheme.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, a common way to refer to a pyramid scheme is Esquema Ponzi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase esquema piramidal is a masculine noun phrase, so it must be preceded by masculine articles like el or un.
Did you know?
- The word estafa meaning 'swindle' comes from the Italian word staffa meaning 'stirrup'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a pyramid scheme is colloquially called a pirámide, dropping the word 'scheme' entirely.
- While esquema piramidal is the formal term, Spanish speakers often use estafa as a general catch-all for any kind of scam, whether it is a pyramid or not.
Examples in context
- El gobierno ha tomado medidas enérgicas contra el esquema piramidal.The government has taken energetic measures against the pyramid scheme.
- Expertos financieros están investigando varios casos de esquemas piramidales en el país.Financial experts are investigating several cases of pyramid schemes in the country.
- El empresario fue condenado por operar un esquema piramidal internacional.The businessman was convicted of operating an international pyramid scheme.
- No te involucres en esa estafa piramidal, es demasiado riesgosa.Don't get involved in that pyramid scheme, it is too risky.
- Un amigo me invitó a un negocio que parece ser una estafa piramidal, ¿qué opinas?A friend invited me to a business that seems to be a pyramid scheme, what do you think?
- Cuidado con ese esquema piramidal.Watch out for that pyramid scheme.
- La policía desmanteló el esquema piramidal ayer.The police dismantled the pyramid scheme yesterday.
- No inviertas dinero en un esquema piramidal.Do not invest money in a pyramid scheme.
Example conversation
Lucía warns Alejandro about a suspicious job offer.
- LucíaAlejandro, no aceptes ese trabajo.Alejandro, do not accept that job.
- AlejandroPero prometieron que ganaría mucho dinero.But they promised that I would earn a lot of money.
- LucíaEs claramente un esquema piramidal.It is clearly a pyramid scheme.
- AlejandroTienes razón, mejor voy a ignorarlos.You are right, I'd better ignore them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pyramid scheme” translations and entries esquema piramidal, 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, empresarial, esquema, estafa, fraude, piramidal, pirámide, CC BY-SA 4.0.
