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How to Say "offenders" in Spanish

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criminales

kree-mee-NAH-les/kɾimiˈnales/

nounB1legal
Use 'criminales' for a general term referring to people who have committed crimes, often in a legal or police context.
Two cartoonish figures in simple black and white striped outfits sneaking away quickly from the edge of the frame, each carrying a large, bulging sack over their shoulders, symbolizing criminals.

Examples

La policía detuvo a varios criminales después del robo.

The police arrested several criminals after the robbery.

Es importante que los criminales paguen por sus actos.

It is important that the offenders pay for their actions.

Estos criminales operan en una red internacional.

These criminals operate in an international network.

Plural Form

This word is the plural form of 'criminal.' Since 'criminal' ends in an 'L' (a consonant), you add '-es' to make it plural.

Gender Agreement

Mistake: “Las criminales (when referring to a mixed group or unknown gender)”

Correction: Use 'los criminales' as the default plural for mixed groups or when the gender is not specified, even if there are women involved.

delincuentes

/deh-leen-KWEN-tehs//deliŋˈkwentes/

nounB2legal
Use 'delincuentes' as a more formal legal term for individuals who have broken the law, emphasizing their act of delinquency.
An illustration showing two cartoon-like figures in black and white striped outfits sneaking away carrying a large burlap sack.

Examples

La policía capturó a los tres delincuentes después de la persecución.

The police captured the three criminals after the chase.

Las autoridades buscan soluciones para reducir el número de delincuentes juveniles.

The authorities are looking for solutions to reduce the number of juvenile offenders.

Los delincuentes fueron llevados a la comisaría.

The offenders were taken to the police station.

Gender Flexibility

Since 'delincuentes' ends in '-es', it can refer to a group of men, a group of women, or a mixed group. To talk about one person, use 'el delincuente' (man) or 'la delincuente' (woman).

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: “Using 'delincuente' when talking about two or more people.”

Correction: Always remember the '-s' to make it plural: 'Los delincuentes' (The criminals).

culpables

/kool-PAH-blehs//kulˈpaβles/

nounB2legal
Use 'culpables' when the focus is on the guilt of the individuals, particularly after an investigation or during a trial.
Two children, a boy and a girl, standing near a freshly broken vase, indicating they are the ones responsible for the damage.

Examples

La investigación identificó a los culpables y los llevó a juicio.

The investigation identified the culprits and brought them to trial.

Los culpables deben pagar por sus errores.

The guilty ones must pay for their mistakes.

Adjective Acting as Noun

In Spanish, adjectives that describe people can often be used as nouns by placing an article (like 'los' or 'las') in front of them, turning 'guilty' into 'the guilty ones' or 'the culprits'.

Criminales vs. Culpables vs. Delincuentes

Learners often confuse 'criminales', 'delincuentes', and 'culpables'. While 'criminales' and 'delincuentes' both refer to lawbreakers, 'culpables' specifically denotes those found guilty or responsible, often after a process.

Related Translations

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