asalto
“asalto” means “robbery” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
robbery, hold-up
Also: mugging
📝 In Action
El asalto al banco ocurrió a plena luz del día.
A2The bank robbery happened in broad daylight.
La policía está investigando el asalto en la joyería.
B1The police are investigating the hold-up at the jewelry store.
assault, raid
Also: onset
📝 In Action
El asalto a la fortaleza fue un éxito, pero costó muchas vidas.
B2The assault on the fortress was a success, but it cost many lives.
Sufrió un asalto de tos en medio de la reunión.
C1He suffered an onset of coughing during the meeting.
round
📝 In Action
El boxeador fue noqueado en el tercer asalto.
B1The boxer was knocked out in the third round.
Solo quedan dos asaltos para el final del combate.
B1There are only two rounds left until the end of the match.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: asalto
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'asalto' in the context of sports?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the verb 'asaltar,' which developed from Vulgar Latin *assaltāre*, meaning 'to jump upon' or 'to attack.' It’s the source of the English word 'assault,' and they share a core meaning of a sudden, aggressive move.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'asalto' the same as 'robo'?
'Asalto' usually implies force or threat of violence against a person or a place (like a bank), making it similar to 'robbery' or 'hold-up.' 'Robo' is a broader term for theft, which can sometimes happen without direct confrontation.
How do I use 'asalto' in a sentence about crime?
You can say 'Hubo un asalto' (There was a robbery) or 'Sufrimos un asalto' (We suffered a robbery). It functions as a standard noun describing the event.