Spanish Crime and Safety Vocabulary for Beginners
Learning a new language goes beyond grammar and greetings. To communicate confidently in real-life situations, you need the right words at the right time. That’s why understanding Spanish crime and safety vocabulary for beginners is so important.
Whether you are traveling to Spain, studying abroad, or just practicing Spanish conversation, knowing how to talk about emergencies, safety, or the police can be a real lifesaver. These words will help you explain what happened, ask for help, or describe an event clearly.
Moreover, when you understand these terms, you feel more secure while traveling and more capable of dealing with unexpected situations. Spanish crime and safety vocabulary for beginners not only prepares you for emergencies but also helps you understand movies, news, and everyday conversations better.
In this guide, we’ll go through 25 essential words every Spanish learner should know — complete with meanings, examples, and translations.
Why You Should Learn Crime and Safety Words in Spanish
When you start learning Spanish, most lessons focus on greetings, food, or travel phrases. However, safety and crime-related words are equally important. You never know when you might need to describe a lost item, ask for help, or report a theft.
For travelers and beginners, this knowledge can make a real difference. Imagine being in a foreign city and losing your bag. If you can say a few clear Spanish sentences, you’ll solve the issue faster and feel less anxious.
Furthermore, learning crime and safety words also helps you understand Spanish culture better. You’ll notice that many expressions used in TV shows, newspapers, or even casual talks come from this area of vocabulary. Therefore, mastering these words gives you a fuller picture of how Spanish works in daily life.
Everyday Situations Where These Words Help
- Reporting a lost wallet or passport.
- Asking for help in an emergency.
- Understanding Spanish police or hospital staff.
- Talking about accidents, crimes, or warnings.
- Watching Spanish crime shows or reading the news.
Even if you never face a serious situation, being able to understand such vocabulary improves your confidence and comprehension.
25 Essential Spanish Crime and Safety Vocabulary Words
Below is a list of 25 Spanish crime and safety vocabulary words for beginners. Each word includes its meaning, one example sentence, and an English translation.
Remember, the goal is not just memorization — try to imagine each situation where you might need the word.
1. Robo – Theft or robbery
Example: Me hicieron un robo en el autobús.
Translation: I was robbed on the bus.
2. Policía – Police
Example: Llama a la policía, por favor.
Translation: Call the police, please.
3. Ladrones – Thieves
Example: Los ladrones se escaparon antes de que llegara la policía.
Translation: The thieves escaped before the police arrived.
4. Sospechoso – Suspect
Example: El hombre con la chaqueta roja es el sospechoso.
Translation: The man in the red jacket is the suspect.
5. Arrestar – To arrest
Example: La policía va a arrestar al sospechoso.
Translation: The police are going to arrest the suspect.
6. Crimen – Crime
Example: Ese crimen ocurrió cerca del parque.
Translation: That crime happened near the park.
7. Emergencia – Emergency
Example: Esto es una emergencia, necesito ayuda ahora.
Translation: This is an emergency; I need help now.
8. Peligro – Danger
Example: No entres ahí, hay mucho peligro.
Translation: Don’t go in there, it’s very dangerous.
9. Asesinato – Murder
Example: El asesinato fue investigado por la policía local.
Translation: The murder was investigated by the local police.
10. Testigo – Witness
Example: La testigo vio al ladrón desde su ventana.
Translation: The witness saw the thief from her window.
11. Denuncia – Report or complaint
Example: Voy a poner una denuncia en la comisaría.
Translation: I’m going to file a report at the police station.
12. Comisaría – Police station
Example: La comisaría está cerca del centro comercial.
Translation: The police station is near the shopping center.
13. Pasaporte – Passport
Example: Perdí mi pasaporte en el aeropuerto.
Translation: I lost my passport at the airport.
14. Seguro – Safe or secure
Example: Este barrio es muy seguro por la noche.
Translation: This neighborhood is very safe at night.
15. Pérdida – Loss
Example: La pérdida de mi bolso fue un gran problema.
Translation: The loss of my bag was a big problem.
16. Herida – Injury
Example: La herida en su mano no es grave.
Translation: The wound on his hand isn’t serious.
17. Socorro – Help (used in emergencies)
Example: ¡Socorro, me han robado el bolso!
Translation: Help, my bag has been stolen!
18. Fuego – Fire
Example: ¡Hay fuego en el edificio!
Translation: There’s a fire in the building!
19. Ambulancia – Ambulance
Example: Llama a una ambulancia, por favor.
Translation: Call an ambulance, please.
20. Cartera – Wallet
Example: No encuentro mi cartera, creo que me la robaron.
Translation: I can’t find my wallet; I think it was stolen.
21. Peligroso – Dangerous
Example: Ese lugar puede ser peligroso por la noche.
Translation: That place can be dangerous at night.
22. Seguridad – Safety or security
Example: La seguridad del hotel es excelente.
Translation: The hotel’s security is excellent.
23. Sospecha – Suspicion
Example: La policía tiene una sospecha sobre el caso.
Translation: The police have a suspicion about the case.
24. Violencia – Violence
Example: No me gusta ver películas con mucha violencia.
Translation: I don’t like watching movies with too much violence.
25. Protección – Protection
Example: Usa esta aplicación para tu protección personal.
Translation: Use this app for your personal protection.
Table-Spanish Crime and Safety Vocabulary for Beginners
| Spanish Word | English Meaning | Example Sentence (with Translation) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Robo | Theft / Robbery | Me hicieron un robo en el autobús. – I was robbed on the bus. |
| 2. Policía | Police | Llama a la policía, por favor. – Call the police, please. |
| 3. Ladrones | Thieves | Los ladrones se escaparon antes de que llegara la policía. – The thieves escaped before the police arrived. |
| 4. Sospechoso | Suspect | El hombre con la chaqueta roja es el sospechoso. – The man in the red jacket is the suspect. |
| 5. Arrestar | To arrest | La policía va a arrestar al sospechoso. – The police are going to arrest the suspect. |
| 6. Crimen | Crime | Ese crimen ocurrió cerca del parque. – That crime happened near the park. |
| 7. Emergencia | Emergency | Esto es una emergencia, necesito ayuda ahora. – This is an emergency; I need help now. |
| 8. Peligro | Danger | No entres ahí, hay mucho peligro. – Don’t go in there; it’s very dangerous. |
| 9. Asesinato | Murder | El asesinato fue investigado por la policía local. – The murder was investigated by the local police. |
| 10. Testigo | Witness | La testigo vio al ladrón desde su ventana. – The witness saw the thief from her window. |
| 11. Denuncia | Report / Complaint | Voy a poner una denuncia en la comisaría. – I’m going to file a report at the police station. |
| 12. Comisaría | Police station | La comisaría está cerca del centro comercial. – The police station is near the shopping center. |
| 13. Pasaporte | Passport | Perdí mi pasaporte en el aeropuerto. – I lost my passport at the airport. |
| 14. Seguro | Safe / Secure | Este barrio es muy seguro por la noche. – This neighborhood is very safe at night. |
| 15. Pérdida | Loss | La pérdida de mi bolso fue un gran problema. – The loss of my bag was a big problem. |
| 16. Herida | Injury / Wound | La herida en su mano no es grave. – The wound on his hand isn’t serious. |
| 17. Socorro | Help (in emergencies) | ¡Socorro, me han robado el bolso! – Help! My bag has been stolen! |
| 18. Fuego | Fire | ¡Hay fuego en el edificio! – There’s a fire in the building! |
| 19. Ambulancia | Ambulance | Llama a una ambulancia, por favor. – Call an ambulance, please. |
| 20. Cartera | Wallet | No encuentro mi cartera, creo que me la robaron. – I can’t find my wallet; I think it was stolen. |
| 21. Peligroso | Dangerous | Ese lugar puede ser peligroso por la noche. – That place can be dangerous at night. |
| 22. Seguridad | Safety / Security | La seguridad del hotel es excelente. – The hotel’s security is excellent. |
| 23. Sospecha | Suspicion | La policía tiene una sospecha sobre el caso. – The police have a suspicion about the case. |
| 24. Violencia | Violence | No me gusta ver películas con mucha violencia. – I don’t like watching movies with too much violence. |
| 25. Protección | Protection | Usa esta aplicación para tu protección personal. – Use this app for your personal protection. |
How to Practice and Remember Crime and Safety Words
Memorizing vocabulary becomes easier when you connect words to real situations. Instead of only reading, try to use these words in short sentences or imaginary dialogues.
For example, you can imagine reporting a lost passport:
“Perdí mi pasaporte en el hotel y quiero poner una denuncia.”
(I lost my passport at the hotel and want to file a report.)
Such small practices make learning more natural.
You can also use digital flashcards like Anki or Quizlet. They allow you to review words quickly every day. Furthermore, watching Spanish crime dramas or news reports helps reinforce the terms in real contexts.
Another fun method is to write your own mini stories using at least five of these new words. Not only will this improve your vocabulary, but it will also help with grammar and sentence structure.
And remember — consistency matters more than time. Even five minutes of practice daily can make a big difference.
Quick Spanish Safety Phrases You Should Know
Apart from vocabulary, you also need simple phrases that can help in emergencies. These short expressions are easy to remember and highly practical.
- ¿Dónde está la comisaría más cercana?
(Where is the nearest police station?) - Me han robado la cartera.
(My wallet has been stolen.) - Necesito ayuda ahora.
(I need help right now.) - Llama a la ambulancia, por favor.
(Call an ambulance, please.) - Estoy perdido, ¿puede ayudarme?
(I’m lost. Can you help me?) - No me siento seguro aquí.
(I don’t feel safe here.)
Try practicing these phrases aloud a few times. The more you repeat them, the more natural they’ll feel when you actually need them.
Cultural Note: How Spanish Speakers Handle Emergencies
In Spanish-speaking countries, people usually respond quickly to emergencies. The national emergency number is often 112 (like 911 in the U.S.). Police are called “la policía” and ambulances are “ambulancias.”
If you are abroad, stay calm and speak slowly. Locals appreciate when foreigners try to communicate in Spanish. Even a few words like “ayuda” (help) or “socorro” (help!) can make a big difference.
Moreover, showing respect and politeness goes a long way. Phrases like “por favor” (please) and “gracias” (thank you) can soften any tense situation.
Final Thoughts
Learning Spanish crime and safety vocabulary for beginners might seem unusual at first, but it’s one of the most practical areas of study. Emergencies can happen anywhere, and knowing what to say can protect you or someone else.
Start with just five words a day. Use them in short sentences and repeat them often. Over time, they’ll become part of your natural Spanish speech.
As you keep improving, you’ll not only gain language skills but also cultural awareness and confidence. Every word you learn brings you one step closer to true fluency — and to feeling safe, wherever Spanish takes you.
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Vikas Kumar is a multilingual educator, language specialist, and book author, and the founder of My Language Classes, an independent language learning platform dedicated to structured, clarity-driven language education.
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