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How to Say "assault" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agresión

nounB1legal, general
Use this word for a violent attack, especially in a legal or general context, like a physical assault or battery.

Examples

La policía investiga la agresión que ocurrió anoche.

The police are investigating the assault that occurred last night.

asalto

/a-SAL-toh//aˈsalto/

nounB2military, formal
Choose this word for a military attack, a siege, or a sudden, forceful, aggressive action, often involving a breach.
Simple illustration of stylized soldiers running up a small dirt hill towards a wooden barricade, representing a military attack.

Examples

El asalto a la fortaleza fue un éxito, pero costó muchas vidas.

The assault on the fortress was a success, but it cost many lives.

Sufrió un asalto de tos en medio de la reunión.

He suffered an onset of coughing during the meeting.

Military Context

In military history or strategy, 'asalto' refers to a concentrated, often final, offensive push.

salto

/sahl-toh//ˈsalto/

nounB2informal, criminal
Use this term specifically for a sudden, often armed, robbery, like a bank heist.
A cartoonish figure wearing a simple black bandit mask and a striped shirt running quickly while holding a large, heavy sack, symbolizing a robbery.

Examples

Hubo un salto a mano armada en el banco de la esquina.

There was an armed robbery at the corner bank.

El ladrón cometió el salto y luego huyó rápidamente.

The thief committed the holdup and then fled quickly.

Formal Context

This meaning is often heard in news reports, police statements, or formal descriptions of a crime, though 'robo' and 'atraco' are also very common synonyms.

Agresión vs. Asalto vs. Salto

Learners often confuse 'agresión' and 'asalto'. Remember that 'agresión' is broader, covering any violent attack, while 'asalto' implies a more organized or forceful offensive, often military. 'Salto' is distinct and almost always refers to a robbery.

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