traicionar
“traicionar” means “to betray” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to betray
Also: to sell out, to be unfaithful
📝 In Action
Nunca pensé que él me traicionaría con mi propia hermana.
B1I never thought he would betray me with my own sister.
El soldado traicionó a su país entregando secretos militares.
B2The soldier betrayed his country by giving up military secrets.
No traiciones la confianza que puse en ti.
B1Do not betray the trust I put in you.
to give away, to fail
Also: to betray
📝 In Action
Los nervios me traicionaron y olvidé mi discurso.
B2My nerves failed me and I forgot my speech.
Su mirada la traicionó; todavía lo amaba.
B2Her look gave her away; she still loved him.
El subconsciente a veces nos traiciona.
C1The subconscious sometimes betrays us.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: traicionar
Question 1 of 3
Which of the following is the correct way to say 'He betrayed his brother'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'traditio', which meant 'handing over' or 'delivery'. In a historical sense, handing someone over to the enemy became the basis for the meaning of betrayal.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'traicionar' if I cheat on a test?
Not usually. For cheating on a test or in a game, use 'hacer trampa'. 'Traicionar' is for breaking trust with a person or an organization.
What is the difference between 'traicionar' and 'engañar'?
'Engañar' is broader and means 'to deceive' or 'to lie'. You can 'engañar' someone by telling a small lie. 'Traicionar' is much more serious; it implies a deep break in loyalty.
Is it a regular verb?
Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar, so once you know the basics, you can conjugate it easily.