Spanish Conversation · Level 13
90 words
Spanish word
atraco
Pronunciation
IPA/aˈtɾako/
Meaning
- masculine nounrobbery
Example
¿Viste el atraco en la joyería?
Did you see the robbery at the jewelry store?
More examples
Hubo un herido durante el atraco.
Someone was injured during the robbery.
Core concept
A rapid armed stick-up at a shop or bank.
Common phrases
atraco exprés
smash-and-grab
atraco nocturno
nighttime robbery
Similar words
robo: Broad theft of someone else's belongings, by any method or scale.
asalto: Forceful assault on a person or premises aimed at robbing them through violence or threats.
hurto: Quiet, unnoticed taking of items (pickpocketing or stealth theft) without using force.
Definition in Spanish
Robo violento o con intimidación, de carácter rápido y directo, dirigido a bancos, comercios o domicilios.
Word origin
Derived from the verb atracar 'to attack or rob', ultimately from Latin ad- + trahere 'to pull', giving the idea of approaching to seize.
Usage tips
- 'Atraco' specifically implies a quick, intimidating robbery rather than any theft, and it commonly appears with phrases like 'a mano armada' or verbs such as 'cometer' or 'dar un atraco'.