Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| atrapar | /atɾaˈpaɾ/ |
| atrampar | /atɾampaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb atrapar means to catch in a trap or traps. You may use the noun trampa to refer to a physical trap or a booby trap, while ratonera can be used specifically for a mousetrap. Relatedly, sifón or sifa refers to a device in a waste-pipe used to prevent the escape of noxious gases and trampa can also mean a covering over a hole or a trapdoor.
Which one should you use?
The verb atrapar means to catch or trap, but it is often used more broadly for the general act of 'to catch' (such as catching a ball or a thief) than the noun trampa implies. To distinguish the parts of speech, use the verb atrapar for the action of trapping and the noun trampa for the physical object.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, música urbana is sometimes used as a broad category that includes trap. In Argentina, cumbia trap refers to trap music blended with cumbia.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/atɾaˈpaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use atrampar. This is a common mistake or misspelling and is not a standard form of the verb. Use atrapar instead.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, hacer trampa is the standard idiom for 'cheating' in a game or on a test.
- In a sporting context, if a player 'traps' a ball with their feet, a Spanish speaker would use controlar or dominar rather than atrapar.
- While trampa is the general word for 'trap', the specific word ratonera is used not only for mousetraps but also for any cramped or claustrophobic space.
Examples in context
- Tratamos de atrapar al zorro.We tried to trap the fox.This sentence is useful for showing how to use atrapar with an animal.Tatoeba #1545624 by marcelostockle, translation #249505 by CK
- Atraparon al zorro con una trampa.They caught the fox with a trap.This sentence shows how to use atrapar and the noun trampa together.Tatoeba #1545636 by marcelostockle, translation #544109 by CK
- Él puso una trampa para atrapar al animal.He set a trap to catch the animal.This sentence demonstrates using trampa and atrapar in a sentence about catching an animal.Tatoeba #1545628 by marcelostockle, translation #291195 by CK
- El género trap se ha popularizado rápidamente en todo el mundo.The trap genre has quickly gained popularity worldwide.
- Muchos artistas exitosos se han destacado en la música trap.Many successful artists have made a name for themselves in trap music.
- Anoche escuché un nuevo tema de trap en la radio.Last night I heard a new trap song on the radio.
- Los jóvenes están muy entusiasmados con el trap en estos días.Young people are really excited about trap these days.
- Anoche fui a un concierto de cumbia trap y estuvo increíble.Last night I went to a cumbia trap concert, and it was amazing.
- La música urbana, como el trap, ha ganado popularidad en México.Urban music, such as trap, has gained popularity in Mexico.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are trying to catch a mouse in the kitchen.
- ElenaNecesitamos atrapar ese ratón hoy.We need to trap that mouse today.
- DanielSí, ya puse la trampa aquí.Yes, I already put the trap here.
- Elena¿Crees que vamos a atraparlo?Do you think we are going to trap it?
- DanielSeguro que sí, Daniel lo logrará.Sure, Daniel will manage it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trap” translations and entries atrapar, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
