robo
/ROH-boh/
robbery
The noun robo means robbery, a crime involving threat or force.
robo(noun)
robbery
?crime involving threat or force
,theft
?general act of stealing
stick-up
?informal, specific type of robbery
📝 In Action
Hubo un robo en el banco anoche.
A2There was a robbery at the bank last night.
El robo de mi cartera fue una experiencia horrible.
B1The theft of my wallet was a horrible experience.
La policía está investigando el robo de arte.
B2The police are investigating the art theft.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
'Robo' is always a masculine word, so use 'el' before it: 'el robo' (the robbery), 'un robo' (a robbery).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Verb Instead of the Noun
Mistake: "Hizo un robar."
Correction: Hizo un robo. (You need the noun form, 'robo', when referring to the event itself, not the base verb.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Robo vs. Hurto
'Robo' implies force or violence was used (like a mugging), while 'hurto' usually means something was taken without the owner noticing and without threat (like shoplifting).
The verb form robo means 'I steal,' referring to the present action of taking something unlawfully.
robo(verb)
I steal
?present action ('robar' conjugation)
I rob
?present action ('robar' conjugation)
📝 In Action
Yo no robo, soy una persona honesta.
A1I don't steal, I am an honest person.
Si robo tiempo de mi almuerzo, puedo terminar antes.
B1If I steal time from my lunch break, I can finish earlier. (Figurative use)
💡 Grammar Points
Yo Form
'Robo' is the action word you use when describing what I do right now. For example, 'Yo robo' means 'I steal'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Present and Preterite
Mistake: "Ayer robo dinero."
Correction: Ayer robé dinero. ('Robo' is for the present action, 'robé' is the special form needed to talk about a completed action in the past, like 'yesterday'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
You can use 'robar' figuratively, just like in English, meaning to take something intangible, such as time, attention, or space.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: robo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'robo' as a person describing their current actions?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'robo' means 'theft' (noun) or 'I steal' (verb)?
Look at the surrounding words. If 'robo' follows 'el,' 'un,' or 'este,' it's the noun ('el robo'). If it follows 'yo' or is at the beginning of a sentence referring to 'I,' it's the verb ('Yo robo').
What is the difference between 'robo' and 'hurto'?
'Robo' usually involves force, violence, or intimidation (like a mugging). 'Hurto' means stealing without confrontation (like sneaking something from a shop or pocket).