la víctima
victim
Persona que sufre daño, dolor o pérdida por causa de otra persona, un accidente o una situación.
Definition & meaning
Víctima means victim: a person or animal harmed, injured, or killed by an accident, crime, disaster, or other event. It can also refer to someone who suffers from another person’s actions or from an unfavorable situation.
- La víctima del accidente fue trasladada al hospital. — The accident victim was taken to the hospital.
- Fue víctima de un engaño. — They were the victim of a deception.
In a religious or historical context, it can also mean a being offered as a sacrifice.
Grammar & Word origin
Víctima is a feminine noun, even when it refers to a man: la víctima. Its plural is las víctimas.
It comes from Latin victima, meaning “sacrificial victim.” The written accent marks the stressed first syllable: VÍC-ti-ma.
Synonyms & antonyms
- perjudicado / perjudicada — someone adversely affected; it does not necessarily imply serious harm or a crime.
- afectado / afectada — someone affected by an event; broader and often less emotionally charged than víctima.
- damnificado / damnificada — someone who has suffered harm or loss, especially from a disaster.
There is no exact antonym, but agresor means “aggressor,” the person who causes harm to a victim.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
La víctima llamó a la policía.noun
The victim called the police.
La víctima se escondió detrás de un árbol.noun
The victim hid behind a tree.
La víctima estaba asustada.noun
The victim was scared.
La víctima explicó lo que sucedió durante el robo.noun
The victim explained what happened during the robbery.
La víctima pidió ayuda en la comisaría.noun
The victim asked for help at the police station.
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