Inklingo

How to Say "treacherous" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “treacherous” is “peligrosas” — use 'peligrosas' (or 'peligroso' in its singular masculine form) to describe paths, roads, conditions, or situations that are physically dangerous or risky..

English → Spanish

peligrosas

/peh-lee-GROH-sahs//pe.li.ˈɣɾo.sas/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'peligrosas' (or 'peligroso' in its singular masculine form) to describe paths, roads, conditions, or situations that are physically dangerous or risky.
Two large, jagged rocks hidden just beneath the surface of turbulent ocean waves.

Examples

Ten cuidado, esas calles son muy peligrosas de noche.

Be careful, those streets are very dangerous at night.

Las serpientes de esta región no son peligrosas.

The snakes in this region are not dangerous.

Estamos tomando decisiones muy peligrosas para el futuro.

We are making very risky decisions for the future.

Matching with Feminine Words

Use this specific form when you are talking about more than one feminine thing (like 'las ideas' or 'las cajas'). The -as ending matches the feminine plural group.

Where to Put the Word

In Spanish, you usually put this word after the thing you are describing, such as 'olas peligrosas' (dangerous waves).

Using the wrong ending

Mistake: “Los perros son peligrosas.”

Correction: Los perros son peligrosos. Use 'peligrosas' ONLY for groups that are entirely feminine.

traidora

trah-EE-dor/tɾaˈiðoɾ/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'traidora' (or 'traidor' in its singular masculine form) to describe something that appears safe or reliable but is actually deceptive or unreliable, like memory or a situation.
An illustration of a beautiful, vibrant green grassy meadow that hides a dangerous, deep sinkhole just beneath the surface, illustrating something treacherous.

Examples

La memoria es traidora cuando uno intenta recordar detalles viejos.

Memory is treacherous/deceitful when one tries to recall old details.

Tuvimos que cruzar un camino traidor lleno de hielo.

We had to cross a treacherous path full of ice.

Adjective Agreement

Like all Spanish adjectives, 'traidor' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes: 'camino traidor' (m. singular) but 'sonrisa traidora' (f. singular).

traidores

/trai-DOR-es//tɾajˈðoɾes/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'traidores' (or 'traidor' in its singular masculine form) when referring to people, actions, or behaviors that involve actual betrayal or disloyalty.
A wooden bridge with a hidden broken plank over a deep ravine.

Examples

Sus actos traidores fueron descubiertos rápidamente.

Their treacherous acts were quickly discovered.

Tengan cuidado con esos pensamientos traidores.

Be careful with those deceptive thoughts.

Describing Nouns

Since this is the plural form, it must match the plural noun it describes (e.g., 'hombres traidores' or 'planes traidores').

Dangerous Paths vs. Deceitful Things

Learners often confuse 'peligrosas' and 'traidor(a)'. Remember: 'peligrosas' describes physical danger, like a steep cliff. 'Traidor(a)' describes something that deceives you, like a seemingly easy task that becomes unexpectedly difficult.

Related Translations

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