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trama

TRAH-mah/ˈtɾama/

plot

Also: storyline
NounfB1
A colorful open book with a small wooden ship and a tiny mountain range emerging from its pages.

📝 In Action

La trama de la película es muy original.

A2

The movie's plot is very original.

Me perdí en la trama porque hay demasiados personajes.

B1

I got lost in the plot because there are too many characters.

El autor sabe cómo mantener el suspense en la trama.

B2

The author knows how to keep the suspense in the storyline.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • trama secundaria – subplot
  • giro de la trama – plot twist
  • desarrollar la trama – to develop the plot

scheme

Also: conspiracy, racket
NounfB2
A silhouette of a person wearing a trench coat and hat, holding a magnifying glass over a mysterious map.

📝 In Action

La policía descubrió una trama de corrupción en el ayuntamiento.

B2

The police discovered a corruption scheme in the city hall.

Estaban involucrados en una trama para evadir impuestos.

C1

They were involved in a conspiracy to evade taxes.

Nadie sospechaba de la trama criminal.

B2

Nobody suspected the criminal racket.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • trama de corrupción – corruption ring/scheme
  • desarticular una trama – to break up a scheme

plots

Also: is up to
VerbB2regular ar
Two people whispering to each other in a corner while looking over their shoulders.
gerundtramando
past Participletramado
infinitivetramar

📝 In Action

Ella trama algo, lo veo en su cara.

B1

She is up to something, I can see it on her face.

El villano trama la destrucción del mundo.

B1

The villain plots the destruction of the world.

¡No trames nada malo mientras no estoy!

B2

Don't plot anything bad while I'm gone!

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tramar un plan – to hatch a plan
  • tramar una venganza – to plot revenge

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedestramaran
yotramara
tútramaras
vosotrostramarais
nosotrostramáramos
él/ella/ustedtramara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedestramen
yotrame
tútrames
vosotrostraméis
nosotrostramemos
él/ella/ustedtrame

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedestramaron
yotramé
tútramaste
vosotrostramasteis
nosotrostramamos
él/ella/ustedtramó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedestramaban
yotramaba
tútramabas
vosotrostramabais
nosotrostramábamos
él/ella/ustedtramaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedestraman
yotramo
tútramas
vosotrostramáis
nosotrostramamos
él/ella/ustedtrama
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "trama" in Spanish:

conspiracy→plot→plots→racket→scheme→storyline→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: trama

Question 1 of 3

If you are watching a movie and the story is very confusing, you might say:

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tramar(to plot/weave) — Verb
entramado(framework/network) — Noun
tramoya(stage machinery/trickery) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'trama,' which originally referred to the 'weft' or 'woof' (the threads that cross back and forth) in weaving. Just as threads are woven to make fabric, events are woven to make a story or a secret plan.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: tramaPortuguese: trama

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'trama' the same as 'argumento'?

They are close! 'Argumento' is more like a summary or the basic premise of a story, while 'trama' refers to the specific way the events are woven together.

Can I use 'trama' for a positive plan?

Usually, no. If you use it for a plan, it almost always implies something secret, sneaky, or illegal.

How do I say 'plot twist' in Spanish?

You say 'un giro de la trama' or sometimes just 'un giro inesperado' (an unexpected turn).