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emboscada

em-bos-KAH-dah/em-bosˈkaða/

“emboscada” means “ambush” in Spanish (a surprise attack from a hidden position).

ambush

Also: trap
NounfB1
A small group of friendly cartoon characters hiding behind large trees and bushes, waiting to surprise a friend.

📝 In Action

Los soldados cayeron en una emboscada en el bosque.

B1

The soldiers fell into an ambush in the forest.

La policía preparó una emboscada para atrapar al ladrón.

B1

The police set a trap to catch the thief.

Siento que esta reunión fue una emboscada para criticar mi trabajo.

B2

I feel like this meeting was a setup to criticize my work.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • trampa (trap)
  • celada (snare/ambush)

Common Collocations

  • caer en una emboscada – to fall into an ambush
  • preparar una emboscada – to set up an ambush
  • tender una emboscada – to lay an ambush

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "emboscada" in Spanish:

ambush→trap→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: emboscada

Question 1 of 1

Which verb is most commonly used with 'emboscada' to say someone was caught by surprise?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
emboscar(to ambush) — Verb
bosque(forest) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish prefix 'em-' (into) and 'bosque' (forest). It originally referred to the act of hiding in the thicket of a forest to surprise an enemy.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: ambushFrench: embuscade

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'emboscada' be used for a practical joke?

Usually, 'emboscada' sounds a bit serious or aggressive. If it's a lighthearted prank, 'bromita' or 'sorpresa' is better, unless the prank involved people literally hiding in the bushes!

Is 'emboscada' related to 'emboscar'?

Yes! 'Emboscar' is the action (the verb) of setting the trap, and 'emboscada' is the trap itself (the noun).