Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| robar | /roˈbaɾ/ | |
| percollar | /peɾkoʝaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | slang |
| afanar | /afaˈnaɾ/ | |
| mangar | /manˈɡaɾ/ | |
| hurtar | /uɾˈtaɾ/ | |
| shacar | /sakaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Argentina |
| fachar | /faˈt͡ʃaɾ/ | Cuba |
The most common and general term for the action of stealing is robar.
Which one should you use?
While robar is the standard verb used when you steal an object, hurtar is a form often used in more formal or legal contexts to describe the same action. Additionally, the noun robo is derived from robar and refers specifically to the act of theft or robbery.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several levels of formality for this word. Hurtar is more formal, while robar is the standard term. For informal or colloquial speech, you might use afanar or mangar. The term percollar is considered slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions use specific words for stealing. In Argentina, you may hear shacar or afanar. In Cuba, the word fachar is used. In Spain, mangar is a colloquial synonym for stealing. In parts of the Southern Cone, including Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Chile, afanar is common. In Argentina and Uruguay, the informal terms chorar or chorear are also used.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/roˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase robar el sueño is used to describe something that keeps you awake at night.
- The word robar is not originally Latin, but was borrowed from a Germanic language during the Migration Period.
- The word afanar originally meant 'to exert oneself' or 'to toil', but shifted in the Southern Cone to mean 'to steal'.
Examples in context
- Robar dinero es malo.It is wrong to steal money.This sentence shows that stealing money is considered wrong.Tatoeba #3579479 by marcelostockle, translation #64555 by CK
- Querían robar el coche.They wanted to steal the car.This sentence is useful for describing an attempt to steal a car.Tatoeba #4510059 by rsarias, translation #4509403 by fekundulo
- La pobreza lo hizo robar.Poverty drove him to steal.This sentence illustrates how poverty can lead to stealing.Tatoeba #3954940 by gianich73, translation #303175 by CM
- No debemos robar, es una acción inaceptable.We should not steal, it is an unacceptable action.
- Robar está penado por la ley.Stealing is punishable by law.
- El acusado fue condenado por hurto y vandalismo.The accused was convicted of theft and vandalism.
- Roberto se fue de la tienda sin pagar, ¡mangó un chocolate!Roberto left the store without paying, he stole a chocolate!
- No me gustaría que alguien me mangara mis pertenencias.I wouldn't like someone to steal my belongings.
- El ladrón afanó el bolso de la señora en plena calle.The thief stole the lady's purse right in the middle of the street.
- Me afanaron el celular en la estación de tren.They stole my cellphone at the train station.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking in a cafe about a recent news report.
- JavierAlguien intentó robar la tienda ayer.Someone tried to steal from the store yesterday.
- María¿De verdad intentaron robar la caja registradora?Did they really try to steal the cash register?
- JavierSí, pero no pudieron robar nada.Yes, but they couldn't steal anything.
- MaríaQué suerte que no lograron robar nada.It's lucky that they didn't manage to steal anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “steal” translations and entries robar, afanar, mangar, hurtar, fachar, 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 robar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
