Inklingo

How to Say "offense" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “offense” is “crimen” — use 'crimen' when referring to a serious violation of the law, often implying a major crime.

crimen🔊B1

Use 'crimen' when referring to a serious violation of the law, often implying a major crime.

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delito🔊B2

Use 'delito' for any violation of the law, generally a more formal or legal term than 'crimen' for a specific unlawful act.

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infracciónB1

Use 'infracción' for minor violations of rules or laws, like a traffic ticket or a breach of regulations.

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ofensa🔊B1

Use 'ofensa' when someone's feelings are hurt or their pride is wounded by an action or remark.

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insulto🔊A2

Use 'insulto' specifically for a rude or offensive remark or action intended to upset or disrespect someone.

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ilícitoC1

Use 'ilícito' to refer to an illegal act or something that is unlawful, often with a slightly more abstract or general sense than 'crimen' or 'delito'.

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atentado🔊C1

Use 'atentado' for a grave outrage or attack against a principle, law, or abstract concept, often implying a serious transgression.

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English → Spanish

crimen

KREE-menˈkɾimen

nounB1general
Use 'crimen' when referring to a serious violation of the law, often implying a major crime.
A masked figure sneaking away from a large, stylized house, carrying a small sack of stolen goods, representing a serious illegal act.

Examples

La policía está investigando la escena del crimen.

The police are investigating the crime scene.

El robo a mano armada es un crimen muy grave.

Armed robbery is a very serious crime.

Fue condenado por un crimen que no cometió.

He was convicted of a crime he did not commit.

Always Masculine: 'el crimen'

Even though it doesn't end in -o, 'crimen' is a masculine word. Always say 'el crimen' or 'un crimen'. This is common for many words ending in -en or -men that come from older languages, like 'el examen' (the exam).

'Crimen' vs. 'Delito'

Mistake: “Usar 'crimen' para un robo de tienda. (Using 'crimen' for shoplifting.)”

Correction: En español, 'crimen' se usa para algo muy serio, como un asesinato. Para ofensas menores, como robar en una tienda, la palabra 'delito' es mucho más común. Piensa en 'crimen' como 'felony' y 'delito' como un término más general para cualquier 'offense'.

delito

deh-LEE-tohdeˈlito

nounB2legal/formal
Use 'delito' for any violation of the law, generally a more formal or legal term than 'crimen' for a specific unlawful act.
A close-up view of a pair of simple, shiny silver handcuffs resting on a brightly colored surface.

Examples

Cometer un delito grave puede resultar en prisión.

Committing a serious crime can result in prison.

El robo es un delito contra la propiedad privada.

Theft is an offense against private property.

La policía investiga si hubo un delito de fraude fiscal.

The police are investigating whether there was a crime of tax fraud.

Using 'Cometer'

To talk about performing a crime, you almost always use the verb 'cometer' (to commit): 'Cometió un delito' (He committed a crime).

Delito vs. Culpa

Mistake: “Using 'culpa' when you mean 'crime'.”

Correction: 'Delito' is the illegal act itself, while 'culpa' means 'fault' or 'guilt' (the feeling or attribution of responsibility). Say 'Fue un delito' (It was a crime), not 'Fue una culpa'.

infracción

nounB1general/legal
Use 'infracción' for minor violations of rules or laws, like a traffic ticket or a breach of regulations.

Examples

No puedes estacionar aquí, es una infracción.

You can't park here; it's a violation.

ofensa

oh-FEN-sahoˈfensa

nounB1general
Use 'ofensa' when someone's feelings are hurt or their pride is wounded by an action or remark.
A sad child sitting alone on a wooden bench looking down, feeling hurt.

Examples

No fue mi intención causarte ninguna ofensa.

It wasn't my intention to cause you any offense.

Él tomó su silencio como una ofensa personal.

He took her silence as a personal insult.

Proferir una ofensa contra el rey es un asunto serio en algunos países.

Uttering an insult against the king is a serious matter in some countries.

Gender and Articles

This is a feminine noun. Even though the person receiving the offense might be a man, the word always uses 'la' or 'una' (e.g., 'la ofensa').

Verbs that pair with ofensa

To say 'to give/cause an offense,' Spanish speakers usually use 'hacer' (to make) or 'causar' (to cause).

Ofensa vs. Delito

Mistake: “Using 'ofensa' to describe a car accident or a theft.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'ofensa' usually refers to pride or feelings. For legal crimes or breaking laws, use 'delito' or 'infracción'.

insulto

een-SOOL-tohinˈsulto

nounA2general
Use 'insulto' specifically for a rude or offensive remark or action intended to upset or disrespect someone.
A person with a mean expression pointing their finger and shouting angrily at another person.

Examples

Él me lanzó un insulto muy feo.

He threw a very ugly insult at me.

No tolero ningún tipo de insulto en mi casa.

I don't tolerate any kind of insult in my house.

Gender of 'insulto'

This is a masculine 'naming word' (noun), so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el insulto'.

Using the wrong action word

Mistake: “Hacer un insulto.”

Correction: Decir or proferir un insulto.

ilícito

nounC1formal/legal
Use 'ilícito' to refer to an illegal act or something that is unlawful, often with a slightly more abstract or general sense than 'crimen' or 'delito'.

Examples

La policía investiga el ilícito ocurrido anoche.

The police are investigating the illegal act that occurred last night.

atentado

ah-ten-TAH-dohatenˈtaðo

nounC1formal
Use 'atentado' for a grave outrage or attack against a principle, law, or abstract concept, often implying a serious transgression.
A heavy iron boot stepping on a beautiful delicate flower.

Examples

Esa ley es un atentado contra la libertad de prensa.

That law is an offense against freedom of the press.

Su propuesta es un atentado a la lógica.

His proposal is an outrage to logic.

Llevar sandalias con calcetines es un atentado al buen gusto.

Wearing sandals with socks is a crime against good taste.

Abstract Connections

In this figurative sense, you can use either 'contra' (against) or 'a' (to) to describe what is being offended.

Don't take it literally

Mistake: “Using 'atentado' for minor mistakes.”

Correction: Only use 'atentado' for very strong, serious violations of principles or rules.

Legal vs. Emotional Offense

Learners often confuse legal terms like 'crimen,' 'delito,' and 'infracción' with emotional ones like 'ofensa' and 'insulto.' Remember that 'crimen,' 'delito,' and 'infracción' refer to breaking laws, while 'ofensa' and 'insulto' relate to hurting someone's feelings or dignity.

Related Translations

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