trampa
/tram-pa/
trap
trampa: A physical device used to catch animals, known in English as a trap.
📝 In Action
Pusimos una trampa para ratones en la cocina.
A2We put a mousetrap in the kitchen.
Ten cuidado, esa zona está llena de trampas naturales.
B1Be careful, that area is full of natural traps (pitfalls).
⭐ Usage Tips
Trapdoor vs. Trap
When talking about a physical 'trapdoor' in a floor, 'trampa' is often used, but you might also hear 'escotilla' or 'trampilla' depending on the region and context.
trampa: An act of dishonesty or deception, or a cheat.
trampa(noun)
cheat
?act of cheating
,trick
?deceptive action
fraud
?serious deception
,deception
?general trickery
📝 In Action
Hacer trampa en el examen es inaceptable.
B1Cheating on the exam is unacceptable.
¡Me hiciste trampa! El juego no funciona así.
B1You tricked me! The game doesn't work that way.
La oferta era una trampa para que firmáramos el contrato.
B2The offer was a trick (a setup) to make us sign the contract.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Verb 'Hacer'
To express the action 'to cheat' in Spanish, we usually use the verb 'hacer' (to make/do): 'hacer trampa'. You almost never use the verb 'cheatear'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Yo trampo."
Correction: Yo hago trampa. ('Trampa' is the noun, 'hacer' is the verb needed for the action.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Related People
The person who cheats is called a 'tramposo' (if male) or 'tramposa' (if female). This can be used as an adjective or a noun.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: trampa
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'trampa' to mean an act of deception?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'trampa' related to the English word 'tramp'?
They are not directly related. While 'trampa' comes from a root meaning 'snare' or 'trap,' the English 'tramp' (meaning a vagrant or heavy walking) has a separate Germanic origin.
If I want to say 'to cheat' in Spanish, should I use the verb 'trampar' or 'trampear'?
The most common construction is 'hacer trampa' (using the noun). If you need a dedicated verb, 'trampear' is often used, but 'trampar' is much rarer and sometimes regional.