How to Say "Violation" in Spanish

violación

/bjolaˈθjon/feminine

The English word violation is translated into Spanish as violación. Wiktionary also lists vulneración.

Meaning: act or instance of violating (noun)

Ways to say it

“violation” in Spanish
Spanish	IPA	Note
violación	/bjolaˈθjon/ /bjolaˈsjon/	feminine
vulneración	/bulneɾaθjon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /bulneɾasjon/ (Latin America, from spelling rules)	feminine

Spanish uses different words for 'violation' depending on the specific context of the act. While violación is used for the violation of laws, it is also the primary word for the crime of sexual assault or rape. For the infringement or undermining of rights and principles, vulneración is often preferred. To describe a breach of a contract or an agreement, use incumplimiento. To describe a moral or ethical violation, use transgresión.

Which one should you use?

Violación can refer to a legal violation but is the primary word used for the crime of sexual assault/rape. In contrast, vulneración is often preferred in legal and human rights contexts to describe the infringement or undermining of rights or principles.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Spain, the term quebrantamiento can be used in certain contexts to discuss violations. In Mexico, the colloquial term multa is commonly used when discussing traffic violations.

How does it change in a sentence?

Both violación and vulneración are feminine nouns. The plural form of violación is violaciones, and vulneración takes the definite article la.

How do you pronounce it?

/bjolaˈθjon/

Did you know?

The Latin root of violación refers to 'profaning' or 'defiling' something, meaning the word originally carried a heavy connotation of making something sacred into something common or impure.
The word vulneración shares a root with the Spanish word vulnerable, which comes from the Latin word for 'wound'.
To describe a breach of contract, Spanish speakers use incumplimiento, which literally means 'non-fulfillment'.

Examples in context

Dijeron que fue una clara violación de la ley internacional.
They said it was a clear violation of international law.
This sentence shows how to describe a violation of international law using violación.
Tatoeba #867818 by opor, translation #802725 by Source_VOA
El matrimonio es un tipo de violación de los derechos humanos.
Marriage is a type of human rights violation.
This sentence illustrates how to use violación when discussing human rights.
Tatoeba #783645 by newyears1985, translation #508347 by FeuDRenais
La compañía cometió una infracción grave de las reglas de seguridad.
The company committed a serious violation of safety rules.
El tráfico excesivo en esta zona es una infracción a la ley municipal.
The excessive traffic in this area is a violation of the municipal law.
El incumplimiento de pago puede resultar en acciones legales.
Nonpayment can result in legal actions.
El incumplimiento de las políticas de la empresa puede llevar al despido.
Violation of company policies can lead to termination.
La corrupción es una transgresión inaceptable en cualquier sociedad.
Corruption is an unacceptable violation in any society.
La violencia de género es una transgresión de los derechos humanos.
Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights.
El quebrantamiento de la ley conlleva duras sanciones penales.
The violation of the law carries harsh criminal penalties.
El quebrantamiento de las normas de convivencia puede generar conflictos.
The breach of coexistence rules can generate conflicts.
Si no respetas los límites de velocidad, te pueden poner una multa.
If you don't respect speed limits, they can give you a fine/violation ticket.
La violación de las reglas del juego es inaceptable.
The violation of the game rules is unacceptable.

Example conversation

Alejandro and Sofía are discussing a company policy breach.

Alejandro

Sofía, el jefe dice que esto es una violación del contrato.
Sofía, the boss says this is a violation of the contract.
Sofía

No estoy de acuerdo, Alejandro. No hay ninguna violación.
I don't agree, Alejandro. There is no violation.
Alejandro

Pero el reglamento es muy claro sobre este punto.
But the regulations are very clear on this point.
Sofía

Tendremos que revisar el documento entonces.
We will have to review the document then.

Sources

Wiktionary, “violation” translations and entries violación, vulneración, 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 violación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “Violation” in Spanish