Inklingo

How to Say "intruder" in Spanish

English → Spanish

intruso

/een-TROO-so//inˈtɾuso/

nounB1general
Use 'intruso' for someone who enters a place, like a house or garden, without permission, often with the implication of unwanted or illicit entry.
A silhouette of a person wearing a dark hoodie stepping through an open window into a dark room.

Examples

Las cámaras de seguridad detectaron a un intruso en el jardín.

The security cameras detected an intruder in the garden.

No quiero parecer un intruso, pero me gustaría ayudar en la reunión.

I don't want to seem like an interloper, but I'd like to help in the meeting.

Matching Gender

Use 'intruso' for a male and 'intrusa' for a female. If you are talking about a group of both men and women, use 'intrusos'.

Using 'intruso' for software

Mistake: “Using 'intruso' to mean computer spyware.”

Correction: While an intruder might use spyware, the software itself is usually called 'programa espía' or 'malware'.

espontáneo

nounC1informal
Use 'espontáneo' for someone who unexpectedly appears or interrupts an event, especially a public performance or sporting match, without authorization.

Examples

Un espontáneo saltó al campo durante la final.

A pitch invader jumped onto the field during the final.

General vs. Specific Context

Learners often use 'intruso' for all situations where someone enters without permission. Remember that 'espontáneo' is specifically for unexpected, uninvited appearances at events, like a fan running onto a sports field, not for someone breaking into a home.

Related Translations

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