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How to Say "convicted" in Spanish

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condenado

kon-deh-NAH-dohkon.deˈna.ðo

adjectiveB1general
Use this word when referring to someone who has been found guilty and sentenced for a crime, focusing on the state of being sentenced.
A close-up view of a judge's wooden gavel resting on a sound block.

Examples

El hombre condenado apeló la sentencia.

The sentenced man appealed the verdict.

La prensa criticó el acto condenado por la opinión pública.

The press criticized the act condemned by public opinion.

Fue condenado a diez años de prisión.

He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Agreement Rule

As an adjective, 'condenado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'condenada' (feminine singular), 'condenados' (masculine plural), 'condenadas' (feminine plural).

Using the base form

Mistake: “El crimen fue condenado por la gente.”

Correction: El crimen fue condenado por la gente. (Wait, this is correct! The common mistake here is confusing the adjective/participle with the past tense of the verb 'to condemn'.)

Incorrect ending

Mistake: “La mujer fue condenado.”

Correction: La mujer fue condenada. (Remember to use the '-a' ending for feminine nouns like 'mujer'.)

convicto

kohn-BEEK-tohkonˈbikto

adjectiveB2formal
Use this word when specifically stating that someone has been formally declared guilty of a crime, often in a legal declaration.
A heavy metal padlock locked onto a thick iron chain.

Examples

Fue declarado convicto de todos los cargos.

He was declared convicted of all charges.

El hombre convicto de robo apeló su sentencia.

The man convicted of robbery appealed his sentence.

Él es un criminal convicto.

He is a convicted criminal.

Describing People

When this word is used to describe a person, it comes after the noun. For example: 'un criminal convicto'.

Convicto vs. Convencido

Mistake: “Saying 'Estoy convicto' when you mean 'I am convinced'.”

Correction: Say 'Estoy convencido'. 'Convicto' is only for legal guilt; 'convencido' is for being sure about something.

Condenado vs. Convicto

Learners often confuse 'condenado' and 'convicto'. While both mean convicted, 'condenado' is more common and often implies the sentence itself, whereas 'convicto' is a more direct translation of the legal status of being found guilty.

Related Translations

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