Inklingo

crímenes

KREE-meh-nes/ˈkri.me.nes/

crímenes means crimes in Spanish (serious illegal acts).

crimes, offenses

Also: felonies, atrocities
NounmB1
A simple storybook illustration showing silver handcuffs lying on the ground, with yellow and black police caution tape stretched across the foreground.

📝 In Action

La policía está investigando una serie de crímenes en el barrio.

A2

The police are investigating a series of crimes in the neighborhood.

Los crímenes de guerra no deben quedar impunes.

B2

War crimes must not go unpunished.

El informe detalla los crímenes financieros cometidos por la empresa.

B1

The report details the financial crimes committed by the company.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • delitos (offenses, misdemeanors)
  • actos ilícitos (illicit acts)

Common Collocations

  • crímenes de odiohate crimes
  • crímenes atrocesheinous crimes

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "crímenes" in Spanish:

atrocities

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: crímenes

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'crímenes'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
exámenesregímenes
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin word *crīmen*, which originally meant 'charge,' 'accusation,' or 'judicial decision,' before evolving in Romance languages to mean the offense itself.

First recorded: Appeared in Spanish during the early Middle Ages, derived directly from the Latin root.

Cognates (Related words)

English: crimeFrench: crimePortuguese: crimes

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when to use 'crímenes' versus 'delitos'?

'Crímenes' usually refers to the most serious offenses, often those punishable by long prison sentences. 'Delitos' is a broader term that can include less severe offenses, though in everyday speech, they are often used interchangeably.

Why is 'crímenes' masculine, since many Spanish words ending in -e are feminine?

While many nouns ending in -e are feminine, 'crímenes' (and its singular 'crimen') is masculine. You simply have to memorize that it belongs to the 'el/los' group. Think of it as an exception to the common pattern.