verb

traicionar

betray

Romper la confianza de alguien al actuar en su contra o no cumplir una promesa.

Definition & meaning

The verb traicionar primarily means to commit treason or to act disloyally toward a person, a group, a country, or a cause. It involves breaking the trust that has been placed in someone or failing to uphold a commitment or principle.

There are a few nuances to its usage:

To betray trust: Acting against a friend, partner, or ally by being unfaithful or deceptive.
To be a traitor: Committing an act of treason against one's country or organization.
To reveal unintentionally: In certain contexts, it can mean that one's subconscious or physical state reveals something they were trying to hide. For example, "los nervios lo traicionaron" means "his nerves betrayed him" (revealed his true state).
To go against oneself: Acting in a way that contradicts one's own beliefs, values, or ideas.

Grammar & Word origin

Traicionar is a regular verb belonging to the first conjugation (ending in -ar).

The word originates from the Spanish noun traición (treason/betrayal). This, in turn, comes from the Latin word traditio, traditionis, which literally means "the act of handing over." In a historical and legal sense, this "handing over" referred to surrendering someone or something to an enemy, which is the root of the modern concept of betrayal.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

Engañar : To deceive or mislead someone.
Delatar : To give away or inform on someone, often to authorities.
Vender : Literally "to sell," but used figuratively to mean "selling someone out" or betraying them for personal gain.
Fallar : To fail someone or let them down, often used when trust is broken.
Revelar : To reveal or disclose something, used when a secret is betrayed.