How to Say "ruse" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “ruse” is “truco” — B2 level.
English → SpanishB2
nounB2neutral/informal
a trick intended to deceive

Examples
Todo fue un truco para distraer a los guardias y robar el cuadro.
It was all a deception/ploy to distract the guards and steal the painting.
La publicidad usó un truco visual para hacer parecer el producto más grande.
The advertisement used a visual trick to make the product look bigger.
Truco vs. Trampa
Mistake: “Using 'truco' when you mean an outright 'cheat' or 'trap'.”
Correction: Use 'trampa' for cheating or a physical trap. 'Truco' is usually a clever maneuver, even if deceitful, while 'trampa' is a violation of rules or a device to catch something.
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.