ladrones
/ladɾones/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'thieves' is translated into Spanish as ladrones.
The term is used to describe people who steal things from others.
Which one should you use?
While ladrones is the standard term, you may encounter other words depending on the context. Delincuentes is used when referring more broadly to delinquents or criminals, and rateros is a specific term for thieves or robbers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Rateros is particularly common in Mexico as an informal way to refer to thieves or robbers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form ladrones is used to refer to a group of male thieves or a mixed-gender group of thieves. If you are referring specifically to a single female thief, the feminine singular form is ladrona.
How do you pronounce it?
/ladɾones/
Did you know?
- While ladrones is the general term, the word ratero comes from rata, meaning 'rat', implying the thief sneaks around or steals small things.
- The expression ladrón que roba a ladrón is the start of a popular proverb meaning 'a thief who steals from a thief is no thief', used when one scammer tricks another.
- A person who steals small amounts, like a shoplifter, is often specifically called a mechero in some countries, referring to the act of hiding items in one's clothes.
Examples in context
- No hay honor entre ladrones.There is no honor among thieves.This sentence uses ladrones to express the concept of honor among thieves.Tatoeba #715040 by Eckhardtgabriel, translation #715037 by Scott
- Ladrones saquearon el museo.Thieves plundered the museum.This sentence uses ladrones to describe thieves plundering a museum.Tatoeba #2502203 by marcelostockle, translation #1773939 by Spamster
- Ojo con los ladrones por aquí.Watch out for thieves around here.This sentence uses ladrones to provide a warning about thieves in an area.Tatoeba #1351463 by marcelostockle, translation #61925 by CK
- La policía detuvo a los ladronesThe police caught the thieves
- Cuando llegué a casa, descubrí que los rateros habían entradoWhen I arrived home, I discovered that the thieves had broken in
- La policía atrapó a los ladrones que robaron en la joyería.The police caught the thieves who robbed the jewelry store.
- Los rateros fueron agarrados en plena acción.The thieves were caught red-handed.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking in a park about a recent crime.
- Javier¿Viste a los ladrones que robaron el banco?Did you see the thieves who robbed the bank?
- ElenaNo, Javier, pero escuché que eran muy rápidos.No, Javier, but I heard they were very fast.
- JavierEsos ladrones son un peligro para la ciudad.Those thieves are a danger to the city.
- ElenaTienes razón, hay que tener mucho cuidado.You are right, we must be very careful.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
