traidor
/trah-EE-dor/
traitor
A traidor (traitor) is someone who betrays trust, often illustrated by secretly passing information to an enemy.
traidor(noun)
traitor
?A person who betrays their country, friends, or principles
betrayer
?General term for someone who breaks trust
📝 In Action
Lo llamaron traidor por revelar los secretos del equipo.
B1They called him a traitor for revealing the team's secrets.
La historia está llena de traidores que cambiaron de bando por dinero.
B2History is full of betrayers who switched sides for money.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Matching
Remember that this word changes based on gender: 'traidor' for a man, and 'traidora' for a woman.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Using 'traidor' when you mean the action of betraying."
Correction: Use the verb 'traicionar' (to betray) for the action, and 'traidor' for the person: 'Él traicionó a su amigo' (He betrayed his friend).
⭐ Usage Tips
Strong Language
This is a serious accusation. Use 'desleal' (disloyal) if you mean someone is just unreliable, reserving 'traidor' for deep, intentional betrayal.
Something traidor (treacherous) appears safe and inviting but conceals a hidden danger.
traidor(adjective)
treacherous
?Describing something that seems safe but is not
,deceitful
?Describing an expression or characteristic
disloyal
?Used to describe an action or behavior
📝 In Action
La memoria es traidora cuando uno intenta recordar detalles viejos.
B2Memory is treacherous/deceitful when one tries to recall old details.
Tuvimos que cruzar un camino traidor lleno de hielo.
C1We had to cross a treacherous path full of ice.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'traidor' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes: 'camino traidor' (m. singular) but 'sonrisa traidora' (f. singular).
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
This adjective is often used figuratively to describe abstract concepts (like feelings or weather) that unexpectedly cause harm or difficulty.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: traidor
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'traidor' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'traidor' only used for political betrayal?
No. While it's often used for serious political or military betrayals, you can use it anytime someone breaks deep trust, whether in friendships, relationships, or business.
How is 'traidor' different from 'desleal'?
'Traidor' implies a severe, active act of betrayal that causes major harm. 'Desleal' simply means disloyal or unfaithful, which is less intense and might refer to minor breaches of trust or reliability.