I've been robbed
in SpanishMe robaron
/meh roh-BAH-rohn/
The most direct and common way to say 'I've been robbed' in the vast majority of Spanish-speaking countries. While literally translating to 'They robbed me,' this is how Spanish speakers express the passive idea that a theft occurred.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me han robado
/meh ahn roh-BAH-doh/
The standard version used in Spain. It uses the present perfect tense ('I have been robbed') which is preferred in Spain for recent events.
Me asaltaron
/meh ah-sahl-TAH-rohn/
Specifically means 'I was mugged' or 'I was assaulted.' It implies a face-to-face encounter involving threats or weapons, rather than pickpocketing.
Me atracaron
/meh ah-trah-KAH-rohn/
Another specific term for a mugging or hold-up. It implies an armed robbery or being held up at gun/knifepoint.
Me quitaron todo
/meh kee-TAH-rohn TOH-doh/
Literally 'They took everything from me.' A very common emotional expression after a theft.
¡Ladrón!
/lah-DROHN/
Means 'Thief!' This is a shout for help rather than a sentence.
Fui víctima de un robo
/fwee BEEK-tee-mah deh oon ROH-boh/
Literally 'I was a victim of a robbery.' This sounds very official.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right word helps the police understand the urgency and nature of the crime.
| Phrase | Region | Best For | Implies Violence? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me robaron | General theft, pickpocketing, or when unsure | ||
| Me han robado | General theft that just happened | ||
| Me asaltaron | Muggings, armed robbery | ||
| Me atracaron | Hold-ups, armed robbery |
📈Difficulty Level
Straightforward, though rolling the 'R' in 'robaron' is important for clarity.
Requires understanding the object pronoun 'Me' (me) placed before the verb, which is different from English syntax.
Knowing the difference between a simple theft and a violent assault changes how police respond.
Key Challenges:
- Rolling the R sound in 'robaron'
- Remembering to use 'Me robaron' instead of 'Fui robado'
💡Examples in Action
¡Ayuda! ¡Me robaron la cartera!
Help! They stole my wallet!
Necesito ir a la policía, me han robado el pasaporte.
I need to go to the police, my passport has been stolen.
Ayer me asaltaron saliendo del banco.
Yesterday I was mugged leaving the bank.
Quiero poner una denuncia porque me robaron el celular.
I want to file a report because my phone was stolen.
🌍Cultural Context
The Importance of 'La Denuncia'
If you are robbed abroad, simply telling the police isn't enough. You must ask to 'poner una denuncia' (file a report). You will receive a physical paper document which is absolutely essential for replacing passports at your embassy and for claiming insurance reimbursements later.
Active vs. Passive Voice
English speakers love the passive voice ('I was robbed'). Spanish speakers almost always use the active 'plural impersonal' form: 'Me robaron' (They robbed me). Even if you don't know who 'they' are, this is the natural way to express that something was done to you by an unknown agent.
Pickpocketing vs. Mugging
In many Spanish-speaking tourist hubs, 'hurto' (theft without violence, like pickpocketing) is legally distinct from 'robo' (robbery). However, in casual conversation, you can use 'me robaron' for both. If violence was involved, use 'asalto' (LatAm) or 'atraco' (Spain) to emphasize the seriousness.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'Soy robado'
Mistake: "Using 'Soy' (I am) with 'robado'."
Correction: Me robaron / Me han robado
Using 'Estoy robado'
Mistake: "Using 'Estoy' (I am - state) with 'robado'."
Correction: Me robaron
Confusing 'Perder' with 'Robar'
Mistake: "Saying 'He perdido mi cartera' when it was actually stolen."
Correction: Me han robado la cartera
💡Pro Tips
Keep it Short in Emergencies
If you are in immediate distress, don't worry about conjugation. Just shouting '¡Policía!' (Police!) or '¡Ladrón!' (Thief!) is universally understood and effective.
Specify the Item
The structure is usually 'Me robaron' + [the item]. For example: 'Me robaron el celular' (phone) or 'Me robaron la bolsa' (purse). Note that we use 'el/la' (the) instead of 'mi' (my) when the ownership is obvious.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards strongly prefer the Present Perfect ('Me han...') for recent past events. They also use 'Atraco' specifically for armed robberies.
Mexico
In Mexico, the distinction between 'robo' (stealth) and 'asalto' (violence/threat) is very common. If someone stopped you on the street with a weapon, it's definitely an 'asalto'.
Argentina
Argentina has rich slang (Lunfardo). 'Afanar' and 'Chorear' are extremely common colloquial verbs for stealing, but stick to 'robar' with authorities.
💬What Comes Next?
At the police station, the officer asks for details
¿Cuándo ocurrió?
When did it happen?
Hace diez minutos / Fue ayer por la noche
Ten minutes ago / It was yesterday night
A local sees you in distress
¿Estás bien? ¿Te lastimaron?
Are you okay? Did they hurt you?
Estoy bien, solo se llevaron mi dinero.
I'm okay, they only took my money.
🧠Memory Tricks
The Spanish verb 'Robar' looks and sounds almost exactly like the English word 'Robber'. If you see a robber, you say 'Me robaron'.
Use 'Asaltar' (mugging) when you were physically threatened. It sounds just like the English word 'Assault'.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest shift is grammatical perspective. English focuses on the victim ('I was robbed'), using the passive voice. Spanish focuses on the perpetrator's action ('Me robaron' - They robbed me), using an active verb with an object pronoun. This impersonal 'they' is the standard way to describe events where the doer is unknown.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this literally as 'Soy robado' implies you are a stolen object.
Use instead: Me robaron (They robbed me)
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask for help in Spanish
You'll need to get attention immediately after a robbery.
How to say I lost my passport
Often goes hand-in-hand with robbery reporting at embassies.
Body parts in Spanish
Useful if you need to describe where you were hurt during an incident.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I've been robbed
Question 1 of 3
You realize your wallet is missing from your bag, but you didn't see anyone take it. What is the best phrase to use?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'robo' and 'hurto'?
In legal terms and precise Spanish, 'hurto' is theft without violence or intimidation (like pickpocketing), while 'robo' implies force or breaking things. However, in casual conversation, 'me robaron' covers both situations perfectly.
Can I just say 'robado'?
No, just saying 'robado' (robbed) doesn't make sense as a full sentence. You need the pronoun 'me' (to me) and the conjugated verb. At minimum, say 'Me robaron'.
How do I tell the police I lost something vs. it was stolen?
If you lost it, say 'Perdí mi...' (I lost my...). If it was stolen, say 'Me robaron mi...' (They stole my...). Be careful with this distinction because police reports for theft are handled differently than lost property reports.
Is 'asalto' used in Spain?
It is understood, but 'atraco' is the much more common word in Spain for a hold-up or mugging. In Latin America, 'asalto' is the standard term.
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