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How to Say "seizure" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “seizure” is “captura” — use 'captura' when referring to the act of arresting or apprehending a person, especially by police or law enforcement..

English → Spanish

captura

kahp-TOO-rah/kapˈtuɾa/

nounB1legal/police
Use 'captura' when referring to the act of arresting or apprehending a person, especially by police or law enforcement.
A close-up view of a person's hand holding a simple net that has gently caught a brightly colored butterfly.

Examples

La policía celebró la captura del ladrón después de meses de búsqueda.

The police celebrated the capture of the thief after months of searching.

¿Me puedes enviar una captura de pantalla de esa conversación?

Can you send me a screenshot of that conversation?

La captura de datos es vital para este análisis.

Data capture is vital for this analysis.

Gender Tip

Remember that 'captura' is always feminine, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'una captura rápida' — a quick capture).

Mixing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'captura' when you mean the action of capturing: *Quiero captura el momento*.”

Correction: Use the verb form 'capturar': 'Quiero capturar el momento' (I want to capture the moment). 'Captura' is the result or the act itself, not the base verb.

crisis

KREE-sis/ˈkɾi.sis/

nounC1medical
Use 'crisis' specifically for a medical episode, such as an epileptic seizure or a severe downturn in a patient's condition.
A tiny boat is dramatically tossed on dark, stormy waves, but a single ray of sunlight pierces the clouds, indicating a critical turning point in the situation.

Examples

Los médicos esperan que la crisis de la enfermedad llegue esta noche.

The doctors expect the turning point of the illness to arrive tonight.

Fue una crisis de fe lo que lo llevó a cambiar de vida.

It was a crisis of faith that led him to change his life.

embargo

/em-BAR-go//emˈbaɾ.ɣo/

nounB2legal
Use 'embargo' for the legal seizure of property or assets, typically due to unpaid debts or legal judgments.
A small, cozy house with a large, official legal seal or padlock placed on the front door by a formal person, representing the seizure of property.

Examples

El banco inició el proceso de embargo de su casa por falta de pago.

The bank began the foreclosure process on his house for non-payment.

Recibió una orden de embargo sobre su salario para pagar la deuda.

He received a wage garnishment order to pay the debt.

ocupación

nounB2legal/control
Use 'ocupación' to refer to the act of taking control or possession of a place, like a building or territory, often temporarily or by force.

Examples

El hotel tiene una ocupación del 90%.

The hotel has a 90% occupancy rate.

secuestro

seh-KWES-troh/seˈkwes.tɾo/

nounC1legal
Use 'secuestro' when referring to the legal confiscation or seizure of goods, funds, or property by court order.
A uniformed authority figure is placing a large metal chain and padlock around a wooden storage chest, symbolizing the official seizure of property.

Examples

El juez dictaminó el secuestro de las cuentas bancarias del sospechoso.

The judge ordered the seizure of the suspect's bank accounts.

La policía realizó el secuestro de la droga y las armas encontradas en el almacén.

The police carried out the confiscation of the drugs and weapons found in the warehouse.

Legal Language

In legal contexts, 'secuestro' means taking control of property, not people. It's almost always followed by 'de' (of) to specify the items being taken.

Legal vs. Medical vs. Property Seizures

Learners often confuse 'captura', 'embargo', and 'secuestro' because they all relate to taking something. Remember that 'captura' is for people, while 'embargo' and 'secuestro' are for property or assets, with 'embargo' often implying debt collection and 'secuestro' a court-ordered confiscation. 'Crisis' is exclusively for medical events.

Related Translations

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