Spanish Conversation · Level 9
90 words
Spanish word
culpable
Pronunciation
IPA/kulˈpaβle/
Meaning
- adjectiveguilty
Example
Todos dicen que es culpable.
Everyone says that he is guilty.
More examples
El jurado lo declaró culpable.
The jury declared him guilty.
Core concept
Person held responsible for a harmful or unlawful act.
Common phrases
ser culpable de
be guilty of
declarar culpable
declare guilty
sentirse culpable
feel guilty
Similar words
responsable: Responsible for an action or outcome, implying duty and accountability.
culpado: Guilty as determined by judgment for committing a crime or serious wrongdoing.
sospechoso: Subject to suspicion of wrongdoing or crime, seen as a possible perpetrator.
Definition in Spanish
Que tiene culpa en un hecho perjudicial o ilícito y por ello puede ser condenado, criticado o reprochado.
Word origin
From Latin culpa 'fault' plus the adjective-forming suffix -able (from Latin -abilis), originally meaning 'liable to blame'.
Usage tips
- Culpable sounds formal and accusatory, so speakers often use tener la culpa or estar en falta for milder blame.
Other meanings
- blameworthyadjective
- reprehensibleadjective
- at faultadjective
Opposites
- inocenteinnocentadjective
Related words
- culpabilidadguiltnoun
- culpabilizarmake guiltyverb