How to Say "busted" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “busted” is “pillado” — use this when someone is caught in the act of doing something, especially something they shouldn't be doing, or when a criminal is apprehended..
pillado
pee-YAH-doh/piˈʎa.ðo/
Examples
¡Te he pillado comiendo chocolate a escondidas!
I busted you eating chocolate secretly!
El ladrón fue pillado justo cuando salía de la tienda.
The thief was caught just as he was leaving the store.
Estamos pillados en un atasco terrible en la autopista.
We are trapped/stuck in a terrible traffic jam on the highway.
Estaba totalmente pillado cuando supo que su secreto había sido revelado.
He was totally caught out/shocked when he found out his secret had been revealed.
Agreement is Key
Like many adjectives, 'pillado' must match the person or thing it describes: 'La niña está pillada' (The girl is caught).
Focus on the Result
When someone is 'pillado' in this sense, they are usually feeling the immediate result of being discovered: shame, shock, or surprise.
Using the Wrong Verb
Mistake: “Fui pillado en el tráfico. (Implies the action of being caught is permanent.)”
Correction: Estoy pillado en el tráfico. (Use 'estar' to describe the temporary state of being stuck.)
pillado
pee-YAH-doh/piˈʎa.ðo/
Examples
El ladrón fue pillado justo cuando salía de la tienda.
The thief was caught just as he was leaving the store.
Estamos pillados en un atasco terrible en la autopista.
We are trapped/stuck in a terrible traffic jam on the highway.
¡Te he pillado comiendo chocolate a escondidas!
I busted you eating chocolate secretly!
Estaba totalmente pillado cuando supo que su secreto había sido revelado.
He was totally caught out/shocked when he found out his secret had been revealed.
Agreement is Key
Like many adjectives, 'pillado' must match the person or thing it describes: 'La niña está pillada' (The girl is caught).
Focus on the Result
When someone is 'pillado' in this sense, they are usually feeling the immediate result of being discovered: shame, shock, or surprise.
Using the Wrong Verb
Mistake: “Fui pillado en el tráfico. (Implies the action of being caught is permanent.)”
Correction: Estoy pillado en el tráfico. (Use 'estar' to describe the temporary state of being stuck.)
fracasado
/fra-ca-sá-do//fɾakaˈsaðo/
Examples
El lanzamiento del producto fue fracasado, perdimos mucho dinero.
The product launch was unsuccessful (failed); we lost a lot of money.
Su intento de convencer al jefe resultó fracasado.
His attempt to convince the boss turned out to be a failure.
La misión se consideró fracasada antes de que terminara.
The mission was considered failed before it even finished.
Agreement is Key
Like many Spanish adjectives, 'fracasado' must match the gender and number of the thing it describes. Use 'fracasada' for feminine things (like 'la misión') or 'fracasados' for plural masculine things.
Caught vs. Failed
Related Translations
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