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"Asesino" is a form of "asesino", a noun which is often translated as "murderer". "Ladrón" is a form of "ladrón", a noun which is often translated as "thief". Learn more about the difference between "asesino" and "ladrón" below.
el asesino, la asesina(
ah
-
seh
-
see
-
noh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. murderer
La policía atrapó al asesino antes de que matara alguien más.The police caught the murderer before he killed anyone else.
b. murderess (feminine)
La acusaron de ser una asesina cuando hallaron el cadáver de su esposo.She was accused of being a murderess when they found her husband's body.
c. killer
Antes de terminar la película, había acertado María quién era el asesino.Before the end of the movie, Maria had guessed who the killer was.
a. assassin
El asesino de Kennedy nunca fue sometido a juicio.Kennedy's assassin was never brought to trial.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
3. (deadly)
a. murderous
Los mongoles lanzaron un ataque asesino contra los aldeanos restantes.The Mongols launched a murderous attack on the remaining villagers.
b. homicidal
La policía fue en busca de un maníaco asesino que ya había matado a varios.The police went in search of a homicidal maniac who had already killed several people.
4. (figurative) (threatening)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. murderous (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Todos se apartaron de su camino cuando vieron la mirada asesina de sus ojos.Everyone got out of his way when they saw the murderous stare in his eyes.
el ladrón(
lah
-
drohn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
b. robber
El ladrón se escapó con un millón de dólares en efectivo.The robber got away with a million dollars in cash.
c. burglar (from a building)
Un ladrón robó la tienda de joyería del centro comercial.A burglar robbed the jewelry store in the mall.
2. (electrical)
a. adapter
Necesito un ladrón para conectar varios aparatos en la cocina.I need an adapter to connect several appliances in the kitchen.
