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How to Say "culprit" in Spanish

English → Spanish

responsable

reh-spon-SAH-bleh/res.ponˈsa.βle/

nounB1
Use 'responsable' when referring to the person who is accountable or in charge of a situation, especially if it has a negative outcome, but not necessarily a crime.
An adult wearing a red vest stands on a small step, overseeing two other people who are busy stacking wooden blocks in a collaborative environment.

Examples

El director es el responsable de la estrategia de la empresa.

The director is responsible for the company's strategy.

Necesitas hablar con el responsable del departamento de ventas.

You need to speak with the person in charge of the sales department.

La policía busca al responsable de los daños.

The police are looking for the responsible party (or: the culprit) for the damages.

Ella es la responsable de abrir y cerrar la tienda.

She is the one responsible for opening and closing the store.

Gender and Articles

When used as a noun (meaning 'the person'), the article must match the gender: use 'el' for men and 'la' for women. The word 'responsable' itself does not change.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La responsable dijo que tenía que esperar, pero es un hombre.”

Correction: El responsable dijo que tenía que esperar. (If the person is male, use 'el,' even though 'responsable' ends in 'e.')

autor

ah-TOHR/au̯ˈtoɾ/

nounB2
Use 'autor' to denote the perpetrator of a specific act or action, often a crime, but it can also refer to the creator or instigator of something.
A figure in a dark cloak sneaking away from a building under the cover of night, carrying a large, bulging sack over their shoulder.

Examples

La policía busca al autor del robo.

The police are looking for the perpetrator of the robbery.

El autor del incendio fue capturado anoche.

The instigator of the fire was captured last night.

Formal Context

This meaning is almost always used in serious or official language, such as legal reports, news articles, or formal investigations.

criminal

kree-mee-NAHL/kɾimiˈnal/

nounA2formal
Use 'criminal' when referring to someone who has committed a serious crime and is legally considered an offender.
A close-up view of a pair of hands with shiny metal handcuffs locked around the wrists, symbolizing a lawbreaker.

Examples

El criminal escapó de la cárcel anoche.

The criminal escaped from jail last night.

La policía capturó a la criminal después de una larga búsqueda.

The police captured the female criminal after a long search.

Los criminales suelen operar de noche.

Criminals usually operate at night.

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.

Distinguishing 'Responsable' from 'Autor' or 'Criminal'

Learners often use 'responsable' too broadly. Remember that 'responsable' implies accountability for a situation or outcome, whereas 'autor' and 'criminal' specifically refer to the perpetrator of an act or crime.

Related Translations

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