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contrabando

cohn-trah-BAHN-doh/kontraˈβando/

“contrabando” means “smuggling” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

smuggling

Also: trafficking
NounmB1
A shadowy figure in dark clothes is covertly pushing a large, unmarked wooden crate underneath a simple, barbed-wire border fence at twilight, illustrating the illegal activity of smuggling.

📝 In Action

El contrabando de cigarrillos es un negocio muy lucrativo.

B1

Cigarette smuggling is a very lucrative business.

La guardia costera lucha contra el contrabando en alta mar.

B2

The coast guard fights against smuggling on the high seas.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fraude (fraud)
  • tráfico ilegal (illegal traffic)

Antonyms

  • comercio legal (legal trade)

Common Collocations

  • luchar contra el contrabando – to fight against smuggling
  • ruta de contrabando – smuggling route

contraband

Also: smuggled goods
NounmB1
A close-up view of valuable, unauthorized goods, specifically shiny jewels and exotic items, revealed inside a secret compartment of a simple wooden shipping barrel, representing contraband.

📝 In Action

La aduana confiscó todo el contrabando en la bodega del camión.

B1

Customs confiscated all the contraband in the truck's storage area.

Destruyeron el contrabando para evitar que volviera a circular.

B2

They destroyed the smuggled goods to prevent them from circulating again.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mercancía ilegal (illegal merchandise)

Common Collocations

  • decomisar contrabando – to seize contraband

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "contrabando" in Spanish:

contraband→smuggled goods→smuggling→trafficking→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contrabando

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'contrabando' to refer to the illegal items?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
contrabandista(smuggler) — Noun
contrabandear(to smuggle) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from Medieval Latin *contrabannum*, combining *contra* (against) and *bannum* (a ban, decree, or official permission). It literally means 'against the official order' or 'against the law.'

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: contrabbandoFrench: contrebande

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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).