How to Say "criminal" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “criminal” is “criminal” — use this when describing something directly related to crime, like activities or actions, especially in a general context.
criminal
kree-mee-NAHLkɾimiˈnal
Examples
La policía está investigando las actividades criminales del grupo.
The police are investigating the group's criminal activities.
El abogado dijo que no había prueba de intención criminal.
The lawyer said there was no proof of criminal intent.
Fue un error, no un acto criminal.
It was a mistake, not a criminal act.
El criminal escapó de la cárcel anoche.
The criminal escaped from jail last night.
Always the Same
As an adjective, 'criminal' is one of those words that stays the same whether the noun it describes is masculine (un acto criminal) or feminine (una intención criminal).
Gender Flexibility
When 'criminal' is a noun, the word itself doesn't change spelling, but you must change the article to match the person's gender: 'el criminal' (man) vs. 'la criminal' (woman).
Confusing 'Crimen' and 'Criminal'
Mistake: “Using 'el criminal' when you mean 'the crime'.”
Correction: Use 'el crimen' for the bad act and 'el criminal' for the person who did it.
criminal
kree-mee-NAHLkɾimiˈnal
Examples
El criminal escapó de la cárcel anoche.
The criminal escaped from jail last night.
La policía está investigando las actividades criminales del grupo.
The police are investigating the group's criminal activities.
El abogado dijo que no había prueba de intención criminal.
The lawyer said there was no proof of criminal intent.
Fue un error, no un acto criminal.
It was a mistake, not a criminal act.
Always the Same
As an adjective, 'criminal' is one of those words that stays the same whether the noun it describes is masculine (un acto criminal) or feminine (una intención criminal).
Gender Flexibility
When 'criminal' is a noun, the word itself doesn't change spelling, but you must change the article to match the person's gender: 'el criminal' (man) vs. 'la criminal' (woman).
Confusing 'Crimen' and 'Criminal'
Mistake: “Using 'el criminal' when you mean 'the crime'.”
Correction: Use 'el crimen' for the bad act and 'el criminal' for the person who did it.
delincuente
deh-leen-KWEHN-tehde.linˈkwen.te
Examples
La policía capturó al delincuente después del robo.
The police captured the criminal after the robbery.
La delincuente fue identificada por las cámaras de seguridad.
The female offender was identified by the security cameras.
Necesitamos reducir el número de jóvenes delincuentes en la ciudad.
We need to reduce the number of young offenders in the city.
La actividad delincuente ha aumentado en la zona.
Criminal activity has increased in the area.
One Form, Two Genders
This word is special because it looks the same whether you are talking about a man or a woman. The only thing that changes is the article (el or la): 'el delincuente' (male) and 'la delincuente' (female).
Always Invariable
As an adjective, 'delincuente' is also invariable: it doesn't change based on the gender or number of the noun it describes. It works for 'actividad delincuente' (singular feminine) and 'grupos delincuentes' (plural masculine).
Don't Change the Ending
Mistake: “Using *delincuento* for a man or *delincuenta* for a woman.”
Correction: The ending is always '-ente'. Only change 'el' to 'la' to show the person's gender.
delictivo
deh-leek-TEE-bohde.likˈti.βo
Examples
La policía está investigando una nueva banda delictiva.
The police are investigating a new criminal gang.
El acusado no tenía ningún antecedente delictivo.
The accused had no criminal record.
Es necesario prevenir el comportamiento delictivo en los jóvenes.
It is necessary to prevent criminal behavior in young people.
Matching Gender
This word must match the noun it describes. Use 'delictivo' for masculine words like 'acto' and 'delictiva' for feminine words like 'actividad'.
Placement after the Noun
In Spanish, describing words like 'delictivo' almost always come after the object they are describing (e.g., 'el grupo delictivo').
Using it for People
Mistake: “Ese hombre es delictivo.”
Correction: Ese hombre es un delincuente.
penal
peh-NAHLpeˈnal
Examples
El abogado se especializa en derecho penal.
The lawyer specializes in criminal law.
El código penal establece las consecuencias de los delitos.
The criminal code establishes the consequences of crimes.
One word for both genders
This word stays the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine noun. You can say 'el sistema penal' or 'la ley penal' without changing the ending.
criminales
kree-mee-NAH-leskɾimiˈnales
Examples
Las actividades criminales deben ser erradicadas.
Criminal activities must be eradicated.
El abogado estudió las leyes criminales del país.
The lawyer studied the country's criminal laws.
Adjective Agreement
When used as a describing word (adjective), 'criminales' must match the thing it describes. Since 'criminales' is plural, the thing it describes must also be plural (e.g., 'actividades' or 'códigos').
Using the Singular Form
Mistake: “Las actividades criminal (missing the plural 'es')”
Correction: Make sure the adjective matches the noun: 'Las actividades criminales'.
delincuente
deh-leen-KWEHN-tehde.linˈkwen.te
Examples
La actividad delincuente ha aumentado en la zona.
Criminal activity has increased in the area.
La policía capturó al delincuente después del robo.
The police captured the criminal after the robbery.
La delincuente fue identificada por las cámaras de seguridad.
The female offender was identified by the security cameras.
Necesitamos reducir el número de jóvenes delincuentes en la ciudad.
We need to reduce the number of young offenders in the city.
One Form, Two Genders
This word is special because it looks the same whether you are talking about a man or a woman. The only thing that changes is the article (el or la): 'el delincuente' (male) and 'la delincuente' (female).
Always Invariable
As an adjective, 'delincuente' is also invariable: it doesn't change based on the gender or number of the noun it describes. It works for 'actividad delincuente' (singular feminine) and 'grupos delincuentes' (plural masculine).
Don't Change the Ending
Mistake: “Using *delincuento* for a man or *delincuenta* for a woman.”
Correction: The ending is always '-ente'. Only change 'el' to 'la' to show the person's gender.
Criminal vs. Delictivo/Delincuente
Related Translations
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