Spanish Conversation · Level 3
87 words
Spanish word
sujeto
Pronunciation
IPA/suˈxeto/
Meaning
- masculine nounperson
Example
Vi a un sujeto sospechoso en la tienda.
I saw a suspicious person in the store.
More examples
La policía detuvo al sujeto sospechoso durante la investigación.
The police detained the suspicious person during the investigation.
Core concept
A person who is the focus of attention, observation, or suspicion.
Common phrases
sujeto sospechoso
suspicious person
sujeto peligroso
dangerous person
Similar words
persona: Ordinary person regarded neutrally, with no formal role implied.
individuo: Single person considered separately within a group or population.
miembro: Person who belongs to an organization, group, or association.
participante: Person who takes part in an event, activity, or process.
Definition in Spanish
Persona; término que en el uso cotidiano puede referirse de forma general a alguien (a veces con matiz negativo) y que también designa al sujeto gramatical en una oración.
Word origin
Derived from Latin subjectus (past participle of subicere 'to place under'), the term enters Spanish through Old Spanish and comes to mean someone who is the focus or object of actions or statements.
Usage tips
- In news and police language sujeto commonly implies suspicion (for example, sujeto sospechoso), so use persona or individuo for neutral descriptions.