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ladrón

lah-DRON/laˈðɾon/

“ladrón” means “thief” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

thief, robber

Also: burglar
NounmB1
MexicoSpain
A storybook illustration of a masked figure tiptoeing away while carrying a large, bulging sack over their shoulder.

📝 In Action

El ladrón entró por la ventana de la cocina.

B1

The thief entered through the kitchen window.

Atraparon al ladrón de bicicletas en el parque.

B2

They caught the bicycle thief in the park.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ladrón de guante blanco – white-collar thief (or sophisticated robber)
  • huir el ladrón – for the thief to flee

drain, time-waster

Also: cheat
NounmC1informal
A colorful illustration showing a dark circular drain hole actively pulling bright gold coins and blue energy streams down into its center.

📝 In Action

Esa aplicación es un ladrón de datos; consume toda mi batería.

C1

That app is a data drain; it consumes all my battery.

¡Este proyecto es un ladrón de tiempo! No hemos avanzado nada.

C2

This project is a time-waster! We haven't made any progress.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ladrón de tiempo – time thief/waster
  • ladrón de energía – energy drain

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ladrón" in Spanish:

burglar→time-waster→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ladrón

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'ladrón' in its figurative sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ladrona(thief (female)) — Noun
robar(to steal) — Verb
robo(theft) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
canciónrazón
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin 'latro,' meaning 'robber' or 'mercenary soldier.' It has been used in Spanish since the Middle Ages, maintaining its core meaning of someone who takes by force or stealth.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: ladrãoCatalan: lladre

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I should use 'ladrón' or 'ladrona'?

'Ladrón' is used for a male thief. 'Ladrona' is the correct form for a female thief. Always match the word's gender to the person you are describing.

What is the difference between 'ladrón' and 'ratero'?

'Ladrón' is the general term for a thief. 'Ratero' usually refers to a petty thief or someone who commits small, quick thefts, often used informally.