Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ladrón | /laˈdɾon/ | masculine |
| amigo de lo ajeno | /aˌmiɡo de lo aˈxeno/ | colloquial |
| caco | /ˈkako/ | colloquial, masculine |
| chorizo | /t͡ʃoˈɾiθo/ /t͡ʃoˈɾiso/ |
colloquial, masculine |
| mangante | /manˈɡante/ | colloquial, masculine |
| chori | /t͡ʃoɾi/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, masculine |
| shacador | /sakadoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Argentina, masculine |
| chorifaite | /t͡ʃoɾifaite/ (from spelling rules) | Peru, feminine, masculine |
The word refers to someone who carries out a theft. When describing thieves who act with cunning, elegance or commit financial crimes, you can use the expression guante blanco.
Which one should you use?
While ladrón is the standard term, several colloquial alternatives exist. The term chorizo is a slang word for a thief, though it also refers to a typical Spanish sausage. The phrase amigo de lo ajeno is a euphemistic, colloquial way to describe someone as a thief by literally calling them a 'friend of someone else's things'. The word chori can be used as either a masculine or feminine noun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ladrón is a common and general term suitable for any formal situation. In contrast, terms like caco, chorizo, mangante, amigo de lo ajeno, chori, shacador and chorifaite are colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may hear the terms chorro or shacador to refer to a thief. In Peru, the term chorifaite is used. In Spain, chorizo is a widely used slang term for a thief. In many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay, the informal term chorro is common.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female thief, the masculine ladrón becomes the feminine ladrona.
How do you pronounce it?
/laˈdɾon/
Did you know?
- The colloquial term caco comes from Cacus, a thief in Roman mythology who stole cattle from Hercules.
Examples in context
- Tom es un ladrón.Tom is a thief.This sentence shows how to use ladrón to identify a person.Tatoeba #1306106 by marcelostockle, translation #1025143 by CK
- Trauma es un ladrón.Trauma is a thief.Tatoeba #11462772 by ecorralest101, translation #9781320 by shekitten
- Nadie te llama ladrón.No one is calling you a thief.This sentence demonstrates using ladrón in a negative statement.Tatoeba #10242804 by ecorralest101, translation #5395133 by Hybrid
- Ayer vi a un ladrón intentando robar un bolso en la estación de tren.Yesterday I saw a thief trying to steal a bag at the train station.
- 112 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about a stolen phone.
- DanielAlguien robó mi teléfono en el metro.Someone stole my phone on the subway.
- Elena¡Qué horror! Ese ladrón fue muy rápido.How horrible! That thief was very fast.
- DanielSí, no vi nada hasta que desapareció.Yes, I didn't see anything until he disappeared.
- ElenaTienes que denunciar al ladrón ahora mismo.You have to report the thief right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thief” translations and entries ladrón, amigo de lo ajeno, caco, chorizo, mangante, chori, 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 caco, chorizo, ladrón, mangante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
