atraco
“atraco” means “robbery” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
robbery
Also: hold-up, heist
📝 In Action
La policía llegó cinco minutos después del atraco al banco.
B1The police arrived five minutes after the bank robbery.
Fue un atraco a mano armada, pero afortunadamente nadie salió herido.
B2It was an armed robbery, but fortunately no one was hurt.
rip-off
Also: daylight robbery
📝 In Action
¡Pagar quince euros por una hamburguesa pequeña es un atraco!
B1Paying fifteen euros for a small burger is a rip-off!
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: atraco
Question 1 of 1
If you pay $10 for a bottle of water, you might say...
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the verb 'atracar,' which originally meant to pull a ship right up to the side of a dock or shore. It eventually became a slang term for pulling up next to someone to rob them by force.
First recorded: 18th century (in the criminal sense)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'atraco' the same as 'robo'?
Not exactly. 'Robo' is a general word for theft. 'Atraco' specifically implies a hold-up or robbery where the victim is confronted, often with a weapon or threat.
Can 'atraco' be a verb?
Yes, 'atraco' is also the 'I' form of the verb 'atracar' in the present tense (e.g., 'Yo atraco'). However, in almost all other contexts, it's used as a noun meaning 'robbery'.