My wallet was stolen
in SpanishMe robaron la cartera
/meh rroh-BAH-rron lah cahr-TEH-rah/
The most standard way to report a theft. While grammatically it means 'They stole the wallet from me,' it is the direct equivalent of 'My wallet was stolen.'
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me robaron la billetera
/meh rroh-BAH-rron lah bee-yeh-TEH-rah/
The standard version in Latin America, where 'billetera' is the specific word for a wallet (especially for men).
Me han robado la cartera
/meh ahn rroh-BAH-doh lah cahr-TEH-rah/
Uses the present perfect tense ('They have stolen...'), which is the standard way to describe recent events in Spain.
Me asaltaron
/meh ah-sahl-TAH-rron/
Means 'I was mugged' or 'I was held up.' It implies violence or a confrontation, rather than a sneaky pickpocketing.
Me bolsearon
/meh bohl-seh-AH-rron/
A specific verb for 'pickpocketing.' It comes from the word 'bolsa' (pocket/bag).
Me quitaron la cartera
/meh kee-TAH-rron lah cahr-TEH-rah/
Literally 'They took the wallet from me.' A slightly simpler, very common way to describe the event.
Creo que me robaron la cartera
/KREH-oh keh meh rroh-BAH-rron.../
Adds 'I think that...' to the beginning.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right verb depends on exactly how the theft happened.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me robaron | Neutral | General theft, standard reporting | You simply lost it yourself |
| Me asaltaron | Neutral | Muggings, violence, threats | It was a stealthy pickpocket |
| Me bolsearon | Informal/Slang | Pickpocketing in Mexico/Central Am. | Speaking to police in a formal report |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy, but requires rolling the R in 'robaron'.
The 'Me [verb]' structure (indirect object pronoun) can be tricky for beginners who want to translate word-for-word from English.
Knowing the difference between 'billetera' and 'cartera' is important depending on the country.
Key Challenges:
- Rolling the R in 'Robaron'
- Remembering not to use passive voice ('fue robada')
💡Examples in Action
¡Ayuda! Me robaron la cartera en el metro.
Help! My wallet was stolen on the subway.
Necesito ir a la comisaría porque me robaron la billetera.
I need to go to the police station because my wallet was stolen.
No tengo dinero, me asaltaron anoche.
I don't have any money, I was mugged last night.
Me han robado la cartera con toda mi documentación.
My wallet has been stolen with all my ID/documents.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Active' Victim
In English, we use the passive voice ('My wallet WAS stolen'). In Spanish, it is much more natural to use an active structure that focuses on the action done TO you: 'Me robaron' (They stole from me). Using the literal passive translation 'Mi cartera fue robada' sounds robotic and unnatural to native speakers.
La Denuncia (The Police Report)
If your wallet is stolen in a Spanish-speaking country, you will often be told to make a 'denuncia' (police report). This is critical not just for catching the thief, but because most travel insurance companies and embassies require this official document before they can help you replace passports or reimburse losses.
Cartera vs. Billetera
The word for wallet changes by region. In Spain, 'cartera' is the standard word for a wallet (for men or women). In many Latin American countries, 'cartera' often refers to a woman's large handbag or purse, while 'billetera' is used for the small wallet you carry cash and cards in. If you say 'me robaron la cartera' in Mexico, they might think your whole bag was taken.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using Literal Passive Voice
Mistake: "Saying 'Mi cartera fue robada.'"
Correction: Say 'Me robaron la cartera.'
Confusing 'Perder' and 'Robar'
Mistake: "Saying 'Perdí mi cartera' (I lost my wallet) when it was actually stolen."
Correction: Use 'Me robaron' if it was theft.
Using 'Bolsa' for Wallet
Mistake: "Saying 'Me robaron la bolsa' when you mean wallet."
Correction: Use 'Cartera' or 'Billetera'.
💡Pro Tips
Don't Blame Yourself
The structure 'Me robaron' technically means '(Unknown people) stole from me.' It's a very useful grammatical structure because it doesn't require you to identify who did it, which is perfect for pickpocketing situations.
Canceling Cards Vocabulary
Immediately after saying this phrase, you will likely need to say 'Necesito cancelar mis tarjetas' (I need to cancel my cards). Memorize these two phrases together as a survival kit.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards prefer the Present Perfect tense ('Me han robado') for recent events. 'Cartera' is the universal word for wallet here.
Mexico
In Mexico, 'cartera' is common for men's wallets, but 'billetera' is also used. Be careful with 'bolsa' (handbag) vs 'cartera' (wallet).
Argentina
Argentina has a lot of slang (Lunfardo) for stealing. 'Chorear' and 'Afanar' are very common in casual speech, but stick to 'robar' with the police.
Colombia
Colombians often use 'billetera' for wallet. 'Atracar' is a common synonym for 'asaltar' (mugging).
💬What Comes Next?
You tell a local your wallet was stolen
¡Qué horror! ¿Estás bien?
That's terrible! Are you okay?
Sí, estoy bien, pero necesito ir a la policía.
Yes, I'm okay, but I need to go to the police.
At the police station
¿Cuándo ocurrió el robo?
When did the robbery happen?
Hace unos veinte minutos.
About twenty minutes ago.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest shift is the perspective. English focuses on the object ('The wallet was stolen'), while Spanish focuses on the person affected ('They stole [it] from me'). This 'Dativo de Interés' structure implies that the action had a negative consequence for the speaker.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this as 'Mi cartera es robada' is grammatically incorrect (wrong verb 'ser') and 'está robada' sounds like you are describing the wallet's permanent state rather than the event.
Use instead: Me robaron la cartera
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say call the police in Spanish
The immediate next step after realizing a theft has occurred.
I lost my passport
Often wallets and passports go missing together; essential travel vocabulary.
Where is the American embassy
Critical for replacing documents if your ID was in the stolen wallet.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: My wallet was stolen
Question 1 of 3
You are in a restaurant and realize your wallet is missing from your bag, but you didn't see anyone take it. You suspect theft. What is the best phrase?
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I say 'perdí mi cartera' or 'me robaron la cartera'?
If you are sure it was theft, say 'me robaron' (they stole it). If you might have just dropped it or left it somewhere, say 'perdí' (I lost). This distinction is very important for police reports and insurance claims.
What is the difference between 'billetera' and 'cartera'?
Generally, 'billetera' refers specifically to a billfold/wallet for money and cards (common in Latin America). 'Cartera' can mean wallet (Spain) but in Latin America often means a woman's purse or handbag. If you are a man in Mexico, use 'billetera' or 'cartera' for your wallet, but be aware of the double meaning.
Is 'me robaron' formal enough for the police?
Yes, 'me robaron' is perfectly acceptable for speaking to police. In the written report, they might use more legal terms like 'sustracción' or 'hurto', but you should use 'me robaron' to explain what happened.
How do I say 'I was mugged' instead of just robbed?
Use the phrase 'Me asaltaron'. This conveys that the theft involved confrontation, threats, or weapons, rather than just stealth.
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