truco
/troo-koh/
trick
A magician performing a classic truco (trick) by pulling a rabbit from a hat.
📝 In Action
El mago hizo un truco impresionante con pañuelos.
A2The magician did an impressive trick with handkerchiefs.
¿Conoces algún truco de magia fácil para niños?
A2Do you know any easy magic tricks for children?
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though it ends in 'o,' remember that 'truco' is a masculine noun, so you use 'el' (el truco) and 'un' (un truco).
Using a step stool is a helpful truco (tip) for reaching high places easily.
truco(noun)
tip
?helpful suggestion or shortcut
,hack
?clever solution
gimmick
?a special feature or device
,knack
?a special talent or ability
📝 In Action
Mi abuela me enseñó un truco para que el pan no se seque.
B1My grandmother taught me a tip/hack so the bread doesn't dry out.
Este programa tiene un truco que acelera la descarga de archivos.
B2This program has a special feature/gimmick that speeds up file downloading.
💡 Grammar Points
Idiomatic Use: 'El truco está en...'
A very common way to give advice is to say 'El truco está en...' (The trick/key is in...), followed by what you need to do.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Truco' vs. 'Consejo'
'Truco' usually implies a clever, surprising, or non-obvious method, while 'consejo' is general advice.
A quick hand movement is often used as a truco (ploy) to deceive onlookers.
truco(noun)
ploy
?deceitful maneuver
,deception
?act of misleading
ruse
?a trick intended to deceive
📝 In Action
Todo fue un truco para distraer a los guardias y robar el cuadro.
B2It was all a deception/ploy to distract the guards and steal the painting.
La publicidad usó un truco visual para hacer parecer el producto más grande.
C1The advertisement used a visual trick to make the product look bigger.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Truco vs. Trampa
Mistake: "Using 'truco' when you mean an outright 'cheat' or 'trap'."
Correction: Use 'trampa' for cheating or a physical trap. 'Truco' is usually a clever maneuver, even if deceitful, while 'trampa' is a violation of rules or a device to catch something.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: truco
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'truco' in the sense of a 'helpful tip' or 'hack'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'truco' y 'trampa'?
Un 'truco' (truco) es una técnica, un secreto o una maniobra inteligente (que puede ser honesta o deshonesta). Una 'trampa' (trampa) es específicamente algo que rompe las reglas, un fraude o un dispositivo para capturar algo. Si haces algo ingenioso pero honesto, es un 'truco'. Si haces algo deshonesto para ganar, es una 'trampa'.
How do I use 'truco' when talking about Halloween?
When referring to 'trick or treat' in Spanish, the phrase is usually 'truco o trato' (mainly Spain) or 'dulce o truco' (common in Latin America), though many regions simply use the English phrase or their own unique terms.