contrabando
/cohn-trah-BAHN-doh/
smuggling
When referring to the illegal activity of transporting goods, contrabando translates to 'smuggling'.
contrabando(noun)
smuggling
?the illegal activity of transporting goods
trafficking
?when referring specifically to illegal drugs or people
📝 In Action
El contrabando de cigarrillos es un negocio muy lucrativo.
B1Cigarette smuggling is a very lucrative business.
La guardia costera lucha contra el contrabando en alta mar.
B2The coast guard fights against smuggling on the high seas.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Noun
As a noun, 'contrabando' refers to the action itself, not the person doing it (who is a 'contrabandista').
Contrabando can also refer to the illegal goods themselves, translating to 'contraband'.
contrabando(noun)
contraband
?the illegal goods themselves
smuggled goods
?the actual items that were transported
📝 In Action
La aduana confiscó todo el contrabando en la bodega del camión.
B1Customs confiscated all the contraband in the truck's storage area.
Destruyeron el contrabando para evitar que volviera a circular.
B2They destroyed the smuggled goods to prevent them from circulating again.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
'Contrabando' is always a masculine noun ('el contrabando'), even if the items it refers to (like 'camisetas' or 'joyas') are feminine.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Gender
Mistake: "La contrabando fue incautada."
Correction: El contrabando fue incautado. (The word itself dictates the masculine article 'el' and the masculine ending '-o' on the past participle.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: contrabando
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'contrabando' to refer to the illegal items?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'contrabando' the same as 'tráfico'?
They are related! 'Contrabando' usually refers to illegally moving goods across borders to avoid taxes or bans. 'Tráfico' is broader and can mean any illegal trade, often specifically used for drugs or people ('tráfico de drogas').
If I want to say 'smuggler,' what word should I use?
The word for the person who smuggles is 'contrabandista.' This word can be used for both men and women, but you change the article: 'el contrabandista' (male) or 'la contrabandista' (female).