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"Criminal" is a noun which is often translated as "el/la criminal", and "penal" is an adjective which is often translated as "penal". Learn more about the difference between "criminal" and "penal" below.
criminal(
krih
-
mih
-
nuhl
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (outlaw)
a. el criminal (M), la criminal (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The criminal showed no trace of shame when he was sentenced.El criminal no mostró pudor alguno cuando fue sentenciado.
b. el delincuente (M), la delincuente (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A gang of criminals that has been robbing banks is being sought.Se busca una banda de delincuentes que ha estado robando bancos.
penal(
pi
-
nuhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (general)
a. penal
The penal code defines the crimes that are punishable by law.El código penal define los delitos que son punibles por la ley.
b. penitenciario
Penal institutions are often located in remote places.Las instituciones penitenciarias a menudo están ubicadas en lugares remotos.
