Inklingo

How to Say "conspiracy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

complot

/kom-PLOT//komˈplot/

nounB1general
Use 'complot' for a general, often simpler, secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful, like a plot to rob a place.
A group of three people wearing dark cloaks huddled together in a dimly lit corner, whispering and pointing at a map on a table.

Examples

La policía descubrió un complot para robar el banco.

The police discovered a plot to rob the bank.

Muchos creen que la crisis fue parte de un complot político.

Many believe the crisis was part of a political conspiracy.

Ellos urdieron un complot secreto contra el director de la empresa.

They hatched a secret scheme against the company director.

Making it Plural

To make 'complot' plural, just add an 's' at the end: 'los complots'. Words ending in 't' are rare in Spanish, so this is an easy one to remember!

Always Masculine

Regardless of who is involved in the secret plan, the word is always masculine: 'el complot' or 'un complot'.

The 'Complaint' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'complot' to mean a 'complaint'.”

Correction: Use 'queja' for a complaint. 'Complot' only refers to a secret plan or conspiracy.

conspiración

nounB2general
Use 'conspiración' for a secret plot, often implying a more serious or organized plan, especially one involving treason or significant wrongdoing.

Examples

La policía descubrió la conspiración para robar el banco central.

The police uncovered the conspiracy to rob the central bank.

trama

/TRAH-mah//ˈtɾama/

nounB2general
Use 'trama' when the conspiracy involves a more intricate or extensive scheme, often related to corruption, intrigue, or deception within an organization or system.
A silhouette of a person wearing a trench coat and hat, holding a magnifying glass over a mysterious map.

Examples

La policía descubrió una trama de corrupción en el ayuntamiento.

The police discovered a corruption scheme in the city hall.

Estaban involucrados en una trama para evadir impuestos.

They were involved in a conspiracy to evade taxes.

Nadie sospechaba de la trama criminal.

Nobody suspected the criminal racket.

Talking about Crimes

In this context, 'trama' is almost always followed by the word 'de' and the specific type of bad activity (e.g., trama de engaños).

Complot vs. Conspiración

Learners often confuse 'complot' and 'conspiración' because they are so similar. While 'complot' can sometimes feel a bit more like a simple 'plot', 'conspiración' often implies a grander, more serious, or even political scheme. For most general secret plans, 'complot' is perfectly fine and perhaps more common at lower levels.

Related Translations

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