Inklingo
Dictionary

topo

TOH-pohˈtopo

“topo” means “mole” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:

moleA2Noun

the small animal that digs underground

Learn more →
moleB2Noun

an undercover spy or informant

Learn more →
polka dotB1Noun

the pattern of dots on fabric

Learn more →
I run intoB1Verb

meeting someone by chance

Learn more →

moleAlso: shrew

NounmA2
A small brown mole with a pink nose and large claws peeking out from a mound of dirt in a green field.

📝 In Action

Hay un topo haciendo túneles en mi jardín.

A2

There is a mole making tunnels in my garden.

Los topos tienen una vista muy débil.

B1

Moles have very weak eyesight.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • madriguera de topo – mole hole / burrow

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser un topo – to be very short-sighted or blind to something obvious
  • corto de vista como un topo – blind as a bat / very poor vision

moleAlso: infiltrator

NounmB2
A mysterious person in a trench coat and hat standing under a streetlamp in the shadows.

📝 In Action

La policía cree que hay un topo en la banda.

B2

The police believe there is a mole in the gang.

El topo filtró documentos secretos a la prensa.

C1

The mole leaked secret documents to the press.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • infiltrado (undercover agent)
  • espía (spy)

Common Collocations

  • descubrir al topo – to find/unmask the mole
  • actuar como un topo – to act as an undercover informant

polka dot

NounmB1
Spain
A piece of bright blue fabric with large, evenly spaced white circles.

📝 In Action

Me encanta esa camisa de topos azules.

B1

I love that blue polka dot shirt.

Los vestidos de flamenca suelen tener muchos topos.

B2

Flamenco dresses usually have many polka dots.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estampado de topos – polka dot print

I run into, I bump into

VerbB1regular ar
Two people accidentally bumping into each other while walking in a park, looking surprised and friendly.
gerundtopando
past Participletopado
infinitivetopar

📝 In Action

Casi siempre me topo con él en el supermercado.

B1

I almost always run into him at the supermarket.

Si no tengo cuidado, me topo con la mesa.

A2

If I'm not careful, I'll bump into the table.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • toparse con alguien – to run into someone

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yotopara
tútoparas
él/ella/ustedtopara
nosotrostopáramos
vosotrostoparais
ellos/ellas/ustedestoparan

Present Subjunctive

yotope
tútopes
él/ella/ustedtope
nosotrostopemos
vosotrostopéis
ellos/ellas/ustedestopen

Indicative

Preterite

yotopé
tútopaste
él/ella/ustedtopó
nosotrostopamos
vosotrostopasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedestoparon

Imperfect

yotopaba
tútopabas
él/ella/ustedtopaba
nosotrostopábamos
vosotrostopabais
ellos/ellas/ustedestopaban

Present

yotopo
tútopas
él/ella/ustedtopa
nosotrostopamos
vosotrostopáis
ellos/ellas/ustedestopan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Vocabulary Collections

Animals

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "topo" in Spanish:

infiltratormolepolka dotshrew

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: topo

Question 1 of 2

If someone says your shirt has 'muchos topos', what are they talking about?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
topera(mole hole) — Noun
topetazo(a big bump or headbutt) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
copomopo
📚 Etymology

From Latin 'talpa' for the animal. The verb 'topar' likely comes from an old word imitating the sound of a 'thud' or impact.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: talpaFrench: taupe

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'topo' always mean the animal?

No! It can be the animal, a secret spy, a polka dot pattern, or even a form of the verb 'to bump into' (topar).

Is it 'el topo' or 'la topo'?

It is always 'el topo'. It is a masculine noun, even if you are talking about a female mole.