robando
/robando/from spelling rules
Stealing in Spanish is robando.
robando refers to the act of taking something that belongs to someone else without permission. While the most common and general term for stealing is the verb robar, robando specifically describes the continuous action of robbery or theft involving taking property.
Which one should you use?
While robando is often used for the act of stealing, it specifically implies a robbery or theft involving force or taking property, whereas hurtando would imply the act of shoplifting or taking small items without force.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Spain, the slang term mangar can be used for stealing. In Argentina, the verb afanar is frequently used instead of robar when speaking informally. In Mexico, ratería is an informal way of referring to small-time theft or pickpocketing.
How does it change in a sentence?
robando is the gerund form of the verb robar, which is used to express the continuous action of stealing.
How do you pronounce it?
/robando/
Did you know?
- The phrase mano larga (long hand) is an idiomatic way to describe a person who is a thief or a pickpocket.
- The word ratero, derived from ratería, comes from rata, meaning 'rat'. This associates the act of stealing with the scavenging nature of the animal.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word ladrón (thief) is used metaphorically in the phrase ladrón de corazones to describe a heartbreaker.
Examples in context
- Le pillé robando dinero.I caught him stealing money.This sentence is useful for showing how to use robando when someone is caught stealing money.Tatoeba #1063115 by Shishir, translation #12142103 by morbrorper
- Lo atrapé robando la cámara.I caught him stealing the camera.This sentence shows how to use robando when someone is caught stealing a camera.Tatoeba #1570916 by marcelostockle, translation #260081 by CK
- Lo pillaron robando manzanas.He was caught stealing apples.This sentence demonstrates the use of robando when someone is caught stealing apples.Tatoeba #1583460 by marcelostockle, translation #1583458 by marcelostockle
- El ladrón robó mi bolso en la calle.The thief stole my purse on the street.
- El acusado fue arrestado por hurto.The accused was arrested for theft.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about a news report.
- MateoMira este video, el hombre está robando una tienda.Look at this video, the man is stealing from a store.
- Lucía¡Qué horror! ¿Lo arrestaron por robando?How horrible! Did they arrest him for stealing?
- MateoSí, la policía lo detuvo robando el bolso.Yes, the police stopped him stealing the bag.
- LucíaMenos mal que no se escapó.Luckily he didn't get away.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
