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tramposo

trahm-POH-soh/tɾamˈposo/

cheating

Also: dishonest, deceptive
A child hiding a card behind their back while playing a card game.

📝 In Action

No quiero jugar con él porque es muy tramposo.

A1

I don't want to play with him because he is a big cheater.

Ese es un truco tramposo para ganar el nivel.

B1

That is a sneaky trick to win the level.

Sus tácticas tramposas fueron descubiertas por el árbitro.

B2

His cheating tactics were discovered by the referee.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • engañoso (deceptive)
  • fraudulento (fraudulent)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • jugador tramposo – cheating player
  • examen tramposo – trick exam

cheater

Also: trickster
NounmA2informal
General
An athlete taking a shortcut across the grass while others run on the path.

📝 In Action

¡Eres un tramposo! Escondiste una carta.

A1

You're a cheater! You hid a card.

El tramposo fue expulsado del torneo.

B1

The cheater was kicked out of the tournament.

No seas un tramposo y sigue las reglas.

A2

Don't be a cheater and follow the rules.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • embaucador (trickster)

Antonyms

  • cumplidor (one who follows rules)

Common Collocations

  • pillar a un tramposo – to catch a cheater
  • un viejo tramposo – a crafty old trickster

Idioms & Expressions

  • pillado por tramposo – getting caught because of one's own dishonesty

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tramposo" in Spanish:

cheater→cheating→deceptive→dishonest→trickster→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tramposo

Question 1 of 3

If your friend hides a card during a game, they are being...

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
trampa(trap / trick) — Noun
trampear(to cheat or get by) — Verb
trampilla(trapdoor) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish word 'trampa' (trap), which comes from a Germanic root meaning to step or tread. It evolved to describe someone who 'sets a trap' or uses tricks to win.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: trapaceiro

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tramposo' a very offensive word?

Not usually. It is often used between friends when playing games. However, calling someone a 'tramposo' in a business setting or regarding an exam is a serious accusation of dishonesty.

Can I use 'tramposo' for a computer program that is glitchy?

No, 'tramposo' is almost exclusively for people or things intentionally designed to trick you, like a 'trick question' (pregunta tramposa).

What's the difference between 'tramposo' and 'mentiroso'?

A 'mentiroso' is a liar (someone who doesn't tell the truth), while a 'tramposo' is a cheater (someone who breaks rules or uses tricks to get ahead).