How to Say "informant" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “informant” is “informante” — use this word for a general person who provides information to authorities, often in a neutral or formal context, like a police informant.
informante
een-for-MAHN-tehimfoɾˈmante
Examples
El informante de la policía prefirió mantenerse en el anonimato.
The police informant preferred to remain anonymous.
Para este estudio lingüístico, trabajamos con un informante nativo de la región.
For this linguistic study, we worked with a native speaker source from the region.
La periodista se negó a revelar la identidad de su informante.
The journalist refused to reveal the identity of her source.
One word, two genders
This word is what we call 'common for gender.' The word itself doesn't change from 'o' to 'a'; only the 'the' or 'a' before it changes (el informante for a man, la informante for a woman).
Don't use 'informador' for everything
Mistake: “Using 'informador' when referring to a secret police contact.”
Correction: Use 'informante' for people giving secret info to authorities, and 'informador' for someone whose job it is to provide general information, like a news reporter.
soplón
Examples
No seas un soplón; mi secreto está a salvo contigo, ¿verdad?
Don't be a snitch; my secret is safe with you, right?
sapo
sah-pohˈsapo
Examples
No seas sapo, no le cuentes a mi mamá lo que hice.
Don't be a snitch, don't tell my mom what I did.
Ese vecino es un sapo; siempre está mirando por la ventana.
That neighbor is so nosy; he's always looking through the window.
Tuvieron que mudarse porque lo acusaron de ser un sapo de la policía.
They had to move because he was accused of being a police informant.
Adjective or Noun?
You can use 'sapo' as a label (He is a snitch) or sometimes like a description (He is being snitchy). It works both ways!
Gentle or Rude?
Mistake: “Using 'sapo' in a formal meeting.”
Correction: This is very informal and can be offensive. Only use it with friends or in casual settings.
arrepentido
ah-rre-pen-TEE-doharepenˈtiðo
Examples
El testimonio del arrepentido fue clave para cerrar el caso.
The informant's testimony was key to closing the case.
La ley protege a los arrepentidos que colaboran con la justicia.
The law protects turned witnesses who cooperate with the justice system.
Un arrepentido de la mafia reveló los planes del grupo.
A former member of the mafia who turned witness revealed the group's plans.
Nouns from Adjectives
In Spanish, you can often turn an adjective into a noun by adding 'el' or 'la'. Here, 'the sorry person' becomes 'the informant'.
Confusion with 'Soplón'
Mistake: “El arrepentido me dijo el secreto de mi amigo.”
Correction: Use 'soplón' (snitch) for personal secrets; 'arrepentido' is usually reserved for serious legal or criminal situations.
Informal vs. Formal Contexts
Related Translations
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