truco o trato
/ˌtɾuko o ˈtɾato/
The English phrase "trick or treat" can be translated into Spanish as truco o trato. If unsure, use truco o trato. Wiktionary also lists treta o trato and dulce o trato.
Meaning: request for candy tied to an unstated light-hearted threat (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| truco o trato | /ˌtɾuko o ˈtɾato/ |
| treta o trato | /tɾeta o tɾato/ (from spelling rules) |
| dulce o trato | /dulθe o tɾato/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /dulse o tɾato/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
This phrase is a request for candy tied to an unstated light-hearted threat. When children are shouting the phrase, it is common to use exclamation marks to convey their excitement.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase truco o trato is a literal translation where truco means "trick" and trato means "deal" or "treat".
Which one should you use?
While truco o trato is a direct translation, some speakers use dulce o trato, which replaces the word for "trick" with the word for "candy". Another variation is treta o trato.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌtɾuko o ˈtɾato/
Did you know?
- In some regions, the tradition of visiting houses is tied to Día de los Muertos rather than Halloween, changing the mood from spooky to a celebratory remembrance of ancestors.
- While truco o trato is understood, many children in Mexico and Latin America traditionally ask for calaveritas or colaciones instead of using a specific phrase.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of 'trick or treat' is not a native tradition and is instead an imported American custom, meaning people might use the English phrase itself.
Examples in context
- “¡Truco o Trato!”.Trick or treat.This example shows how to say the phrase truco o trato.Tatoeba #9150550 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #1857544 by Spamster
- Van de puerta a puerta, saludando a sus vecinos diciendo "¡truco o trato!", a cambio de dulces.Going door to door, they greet their neighbors by saying "Trick or treat!" in exchange for candy.This sentence illustrates people using truco o trato while going door to door for candy.Tatoeba #10493034 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10471471 by Hybrid
- Los niños gritaron "¡truco o trato!" en la calle.The children shouted "trick or treat!" in the street.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two children are at their neighbor's front door on Halloween.
- Alejandro¡Hola, Elena! ¡Truco o trato!Hello, Elena! Trick or treat!
- Elena¡Hola, Alejandro! Qué disfraz tan genial.Hello, Alejandro! What a great costume.
- AlejandroGracias, pero ¿me darás dulces?Thanks, but will you give me candy?
- ElenaClaro que sí, toma muchos caramelos.Of course, take lots of candies.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trick or treat” translations and entries truco o trato, 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.
