intruso
“intruso” means “intruder” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
intruder
Also: interloper, meddler
📝 In Action
Las cámaras de seguridad detectaron a un intruso en el jardín.
B1The security cameras detected an intruder in the garden.
No quiero parecer un intruso, pero me gustaría ayudar en la reunión.
B2I don't want to seem like an interloper, but I'd like to help in the meeting.
intrusive
Also: invasive
📝 In Action
Tuve un pensamiento intruso muy extraño esta mañana.
C1I had a very strange intrusive thought this morning.
Esa planta es una especie intrusa que está matando a las flores locales.
B2That plant is an invasive species that is killing the local flowers.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: intruso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'intruso' to describe someone who wasn't invited to a party?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'intrūdere', which literally means 'to thrust in' or 'to push inside'. It is built from 'in' (into) and 'trudere' (to push).
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'intruso' always mean a criminal?
Not necessarily! While it can mean a burglar or trespasser, it is very often used for someone who joins a conversation they weren't part of, or even for an unwanted thought or a plant that shouldn't be in a certain garden.
What is the difference between 'intruso' and 'invasor'?
An 'intruso' is someone who enters quietly or where they aren't invited (like a wedding crasher). An 'invasor' (invader) usually implies a more aggressive, forceful entry, like an army or a virus.