Spanish word

emboscada

Pronunciation

IPA/embosˈkaða/

Meaning

  • feminine nounambush

Example

Ten cuidado, puede ser una emboscada.

Watch out, it may be an ambush.

Illustration for emboscada (ambush)

More examples

El equipo cayó en una emboscada durante la patrulla.

The team fell into an ambush during the patrol.

Core concept

Planned trap set to catch or harm someone.

Common phrases

  • tender una emboscada

    lay an ambush

  • caer en una emboscada

    fall into an ambush

  • evitar una emboscada

    avoid an ambush

Similar words

asalto: Rapid, forceful assault launched to overpower, injure, or seize a person.
trampa: Planned ruse or device intended to ensnare someone by misleading them.
acecho: Quietly following or watching someone to monitor them and await an opening.

Definition in Spanish

Acción sorpresiva dirigida contra una persona o grupo desde un lugar oculto, con intención de perjudicar o capturar.

Word origin

It derives from Old Spanish emboscar (en- 'in' + bosque 'wood'), originally referring to hiding in foliage to ambush game or enemies.

Usage tips

  • Emboscada carries a deliberate-harm nuance and sounds strong in polite contexts, so sorpresa or golpe sorpresa are milder alternatives.

Opposites

  • ataque directodirect attacknoun
  • ataque frontalfrontal attacknoun

Related words

  • emboscarambushverb
  • emboscadoambushedadjective

Word lists with this word