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How to Say "robbery" in Spanish

English → Spanish

robo

/ROH-boh//ˈro.βo/

nounA2general
Use 'robo' as the most general term for any crime involving theft with threat or force, suitable for most contexts.
A masked figure wearing black gloves is quickly taking a small brown sack of valuables from an open, unattended safe.

Examples

Hubo un robo en el banco anoche.

There was a robbery at the bank last night.

El robo de mi cartera fue una experiencia horrible.

The theft of my wallet was a horrible experience.

La policía está investigando el robo de arte.

The police are investigating the art theft.

Masculine Noun

'Robo' is always a masculine word, so use 'el' before it: 'el robo' (the robbery), 'un robo' (a robbery).

Using the Verb Instead of the Noun

Mistake: “Hizo un robar.”

Correction: Hizo un robo. (You need the noun form, 'robo', when referring to the event itself, not the base verb.)

asalto

/a-SAL-toh//aˈsalto/

nounA2general
Use 'asalto' when emphasizing the violent or forceful nature of the theft, particularly when it involves a direct confrontation or attack.
A masked figure, wearing black gloves, quickly snatching a bag of money from an open window of a building.

Examples

El asalto al banco ocurrió a plena luz del día.

The bank robbery happened in broad daylight.

La policía está investigando el asalto en la joyería.

The police are investigating the hold-up at the jewelry store.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'asalto' is always masculine, so you must use 'el asalto' or 'un asalto'.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “No digas 'asalto' cuando quieres decir 'robar' (the verb).”

Correction: Use 'asalto' for the event (the robbery), and 'asaltar' for the action (to rob).

atraco

/ah-TRAH-koh//aˈtɾako/

nounB1general
Choose 'atraco' for a robbery where force or threat is used to take something, often implying a hold-up or mugging.
A masked figure running away with a bag of money marked with a currency symbol.

Examples

La policía llegó cinco minutos después del atraco al banco.

The police arrived five minutes after the bank robbery.

Fue un atraco a mano armada, pero afortunadamente nadie salió herido.

It was an armed robbery, but fortunately no one was hurt.

Atraco vs. Robo

While both mean stealing, 'atraco' almost always implies that the victim was present and threatened with force. A 'robo' can be someone stealing your wallet while you aren't looking.

Using it as a verb

Mistake: “Yo atraco la tienda.”

Correction: Yo atraco is technically the 'I' form of the verb, but usually people mean the noun. To say 'The robbery,' use 'El atraco.'

salto

/sahl-toh//ˈsalto/

nounB2general
Use 'salto' for a more specific or dramatic type of robbery, often implying an armed holdup or a daring heist.
A cartoonish figure wearing a simple black bandit mask and a striped shirt running quickly while holding a large, heavy sack, symbolizing a robbery.

Examples

Hubo un salto a mano armada en el banco de la esquina.

There was an armed robbery at the corner bank.

El ladrón cometió el salto y luego huyó rápidamente.

The thief committed the holdup and then fled quickly.

Formal Context

This meaning is often heard in news reports, police statements, or formal descriptions of a crime, though 'robo' and 'atraco' are also very common synonyms.

General vs. Specific Robbery Terms

Learners often confuse 'robo', 'asalto', and 'atraco'. Remember that 'robo' is the broadest term. 'Asalto' and 'atraco' are more specific, highlighting the force or threat involved, and are often interchangeable but 'atraco' can sometimes imply a direct hold-up.

Related Translations

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