traficante
/trah-fee-KAHN-teh/
trafficker
As a noun, traficante refers to a trafficker, a person involved in illegal trade.
traficante(noun)
trafficker
?person involved in illegal trade
,smuggler
?specifically moving goods across borders illegally
drug dealer
?focused on narcotics
,dealer
?general term for illegal seller
📝 In Action
Capturaron al traficante de armas en la frontera sur.
B2They captured the arms trafficker on the southern border.
La traficante de personas fue condenada a muchos años de prisión.
C1The human trafficker was sentenced to many years in prison.
El gobierno está luchando contra los traficantes de drogas.
B2The government is fighting against the drug dealers/traffickers.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Neutrality
Since 'traficante' ends in -e, it is gender-neutral. The only thing that changes when referring to a man or a woman is the article before it: 'el traficante' (the male trafficker) or 'la traficante' (the female trafficker).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'traficante' for traffic lights
Mistake: "Using 'traficante' to mean 'traffic light' or 'traffic controller'."
Correction: The correct words for traffic light are 'semáforo' or 'luz de tráfico'. 'Traficante' refers only to someone who trades or deals.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Trade' Root
The word comes from 'tráfico' (traffic/trade). In modern Spanish, when used alone, 'traficante' almost always implies illegal activity (like drugs or people), not legal commerce.
Used as an adjective, traficante describes an activity or route used for illegal trafficking.
traficante(adjective)
trafficking
?describing an activity or route
smuggling
?related to illegal transport
📝 In Action
Identificaron una ruta traficante usada para el contrabando.
C1They identified a trafficking route used for smuggling.
La actividad traficante ha crecido en la región.
C1Trafficking activity has grown in the region.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Placement
As an adjective, 'traficante' is usually placed before the noun it describes, especially in formal writing, when emphasizing the quality of being involved in trafficking (e.g., 'la red traficante').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: traficante
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the gender of 'traficante'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'traficante' refer to vehicle traffic?
No. 'Traficante' refers exclusively to a person who trades or deals (usually illegally). The noun for vehicle movement is 'tráfico' (traffic) or 'circulación' (circulation/flow).
Is 'traficante' always negative?
In almost all modern contexts, yes. While the root word can mean general trade, using 'traficante' implies involvement in illegal trade (drugs, weapons, people, etc.). For legal traders, use words like 'comerciante' or 'negociante'.