delincuente
“delincuente” means “criminal” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
criminal, offender
Also: delinquent
📝 In Action
La policía capturó al delincuente después del robo.
B1The police captured the criminal after the robbery.
La delincuente fue identificada por las cámaras de seguridad.
B2The female offender was identified by the security cameras.
Necesitamos reducir el número de jóvenes delincuentes en la ciudad.
B2We need to reduce the number of young offenders in the city.
criminal, offending
📝 In Action
La actividad delincuente ha aumentado en la zona.
B2Criminal activity has increased in the area.
El grupo fue acusado de asociación delincuente.
C1The group was accused of criminal association.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: delincuente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'delincuente' to refer to a female person?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *delinquere*, which meant 'to fail,' 'to be wanting,' or 'to transgress.' It literally implies falling short of one's duty or failing to meet legal obligations.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'delincuente' a strong or weak word?
'Delincuente' is a formal and serious word, usually used in legal or journalistic contexts. It implies that the person has committed an actual crime, not just a small mistake.
How is 'delincuente' different from 'delito'?
'Delincuente' is the person who commits the act (the criminal). 'Delito' is the act itself (the crime or offense).