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maleante

criminal

noun mah-leh-AN-teh Rare
People & Society Crime

Also means

thug

Usage Note

Maleante is a common-gender noun (el/la maleante) meaning a petty criminal, lowlife, or hoodlum — a person who lives outside the law. It carries a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone compared to slang alternatives like delincuente or chorizo (Spain). It is also used adjectivally without change of form: gente maleante ('criminal types'). The root mal- ('bad, evil') makes its connotation transparent to any Spanish learner.

Examples

"La policía detuvo a varios maleantes."

Natural Translation

The police arrested several criminals.

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