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estafa means scam — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 17, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

estafa

noun • /[es-TA-fa]/

scam

Example:

Eso suena como una estafa.

That sounds like a scam.

🧠 What does estafa mean?

An 'estafa' is a feminine noun that refers to an act of deception or a fraudulent scheme designed to obtain money, goods, or other benefits from someone illegally. It encompasses a wide range of dishonest activities, from simple swindles to complex financial fraud, and is the most common Spanish term for 'scam' or 'fraud'.

📚 Extra examples

  • La venta de productos falsificados por internet es una estafa muy común.
    Selling counterfeit products online is a very common scam.
  • El hombre fue víctima de una estafa telefónica y perdió todos sus ahorros.
    The man was the victim of a phone scam and lost all his savings.
  • El empresario fue acusado de estafa y evasión de impuestos.
    The businessman was accused of fraud and tax evasion.
  • Hay que tener cuidado con los correos electrónicos que prometen premios, suelen ser una estafa.
    One must be careful with emails that promise prizes; they are usually a scam.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'estafa' is part of a larger word family. The verb 'estafar' means 'to scam' or 'to defraud'. A person who commits this crime is called an 'estafador' (male) or 'estafadora' (female), which translates to 'scammer' or 'con artist'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "estafa"

Synonyms: fraude, engaño, timo, trampa
Opposites: honestidad, honradez, transacción legítima, negocio justo

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'scam' in Spanish?
The most direct and common way to say 'scam' in Spanish is 'estafa'. Other words like 'fraude' (fraud) or 'timo' (swindle, more colloquial in Spain) can also be used.
How do you pronounce 'estafa' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is es-TA-fa, with the emphasis on the second syllable, 'TA'. The 'e' is short, like in 'pet', and the 'a' sounds like the 'a' in 'father'.
How do you use 'estafa' in a sentence?
You can use it as the subject or object of a sentence. For example: 'Esa oferta de trabajo parece una estafa.' (That job offer seems like a scam.)
What is the English translation of 'estafa'?
The primary English translations for 'estafa' are 'scam', 'fraud', and 'swindle'.
Does 'estafa' change for gender or number?
'Estafa' is a feminine noun. Its plural form is 'estafas'. For example: 'La policía investiga varias estafas inmobiliarias.' (The police are investigating several real estate scams.)
Is 'estafa' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'estafa' is a very common word used in both formal and informal contexts across the entire Spanish-speaking world to discuss any type of fraudulent activity.
Does 'estafa' have slang or double meanings?
'Estafa' is the standard, formal term and does not have significant slang meanings. More colloquial synonyms exist, such as 'timo' in Spain or 'chanchullo' in some regions for a less serious scheme.
Is 'estafa' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word 'estafa' is used and understood universally. While usage is consistent, certain regions may have more common local synonyms. For instance, 'timo' is very frequent in Spain, but 'estafa' remains the standard term everywhere.

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