How to Say "illegal" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “illegal” is “ilegal” — use this as the most direct and common translation for 'illegal' when something is explicitly against the law or a rule.
ilegal
ee-leh-GAHLi.leˈɣal
Examples
Fumar en este edificio es completamente ilegal.
Smoking in this building is completely illegal.
La venta de ese producto se declaró ilegal.
The sale of that product was declared unlawful.
Cometió un acto ilegal al robar el coche.
He committed an illegal act by stealing the car.
Agreement is Key
Like many Spanish adjectives, 'ilegal' must match the number of the noun it describes (e.g., 'prácticas ilegales'). Luckily, it stays the same for masculine and feminine nouns because it ends in '-l' (e.g., 'el acto ilegal,' 'la acción ilegal').
Always Appears After the Noun
In Spanish, descriptive adjectives like 'ilegal' almost always come after the noun they modify: 'una práctica ilegal', not 'una ilegal práctica'.
Forgetting the Plural
Mistake: “Muchos actos ilegal.”
Correction: Muchos actos ilegales. (The adjective must end in '-es' when describing plural nouns.)
ilegales
ee-leh-GAH-lehsileˈɣales
Examples
La venta de esas sustancias es completamente ilegal y las autoridades están investigando.
The sale of those substances is completely illegal and the authorities are investigating.
Las descargas ilegales han afectado mucho a la industria musical.
Illegal downloads have greatly affected the music industry.
Agreement is Key
Since 'ilegales' is a plural adjective, it must match the noun it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine or feminine). It works for both: 'acciones ilegales' (feminine) and 'negocios ilegales' (masculine).
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.
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).
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'.
ilícito
ee-LEE-see-tohiˈli.si.to
Examples
El tráfico ilícito de animales es un crimen grave.
The illegal wildlife trade is a serious crime.
Obtuvo su fortuna de manera ilícita.
He obtained his fortune in an unlawful way.
Las autoridades cerraron el casino por actividades ilícitas.
The authorities closed the casino due to illegal activities.
Adjective Agreement
This word changes its ending to match what it describes. Use 'ilícito' for masculine things and 'ilícita' for feminine things.
Placement for Emphasis
Usually, 'ilícito' comes after the noun (e.g., 'negocio ilícito'). Placing it before the noun is rare and makes the sentence sound very poetic or dramatic.
Confusing with 'Ilegal'
Mistake: “Using 'ilícito' in casual conversation with friends.”
Correction: Use 'ilegal' for everyday talk. 'Ilícito' is better for formal writing or when talking about official rules.
clandestino
klahn-dehs-TEE-nohklandesˈtino
Examples
Ellos tenían una reunión clandestina en el sótano.
They were having a secret meeting in the basement.
El casino era clandestino y no tenía permisos.
The casino was illegal and didn't have permits.
Publicaron un periódico clandestino durante la guerra.
They published an underground newspaper during the war.
Matching Genders
Since this is a describing word, it must match the thing it describes. Use 'clandestino' for masculine words (like 'negocio') and 'clandestina' for feminine words (like 'reunión').
Word Order for Emphasis
Usually, this word comes after the noun (the thing it describes). Putting it after emphasizes that the secrecy is the most important part of the description.
Clandestino vs. Secreto
Mistake: “Using 'clandestino' for a surprise party.”
Correction: Use 'secreto'. 'Clandestino' almost always implies something forbidden by law or authority, while 'secreto' is for any hidden information.
irregular
ee-rre-goo-larireɣuˈlaɾ
Examples
La policía investiga una situación irregular en la empresa.
The police are investigating an improper situation at the company.
Muchos inmigrantes están en situación irregular.
Many immigrants are in an undocumented/unauthorized status.
Hubo un manejo irregular de los fondos públicos.
There was a mishandling of public funds.
Softening Legal Terms
In Spanish, 'irregular' is often used as a slightly softer or more technical way to say 'illegal' when talking about paperwork or immigration status.
Ilegal vs. Criminal
Related Translations
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