traidor

traitor

noun trah-ee-DOHR Rare

Origin: From Latin traditor (one who hands over).

Usage Note

Traidor is both a noun ('traitor') and can function as an adjective (un acto traidor, 'a treacherous act'). The feminine is traidora. Note the Latin root is the same as tradición ('tradition', 'handing down') — both derive from tradere ('to hand over'), but the meaning bifurcated between handing on knowledge and treacherously handing over a person.

Examples

"Lo llamaron traidor por revelar los secretos."

Natural Translation

They called him a traitor for revealing the secrets.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Por vs Para in Spanish: One Mental Model, No Acronyms

Por looks backward at cause and path; para looks forward at goal and destination. Master por vs para in Spanish with one mental model — no acronyms needed.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "I Like" in Spanish: Gustar Without the Confusion

Say I like in Spanish with gustar the right way: me gusta vs me gustan, why it's never yo gusto, the pronouns, articles, and five verbs that copy the pattern.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read