Noun
/timo/
In Spanish, "timo" refers to a type of deception or trickery aimed at obtaining money or valuables from someone, often characterized as a scam or fraud. The word is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, especially in situations discussing dishonest practices, particularly in financial dealings. The frequency of use is quite high in discussions pertaining to consumer protection and scams in general.
El timo que sufrió Juan fue una gran lección sobre la confianza.
The scam that Juan suffered was a great lesson about trust.
Es importante estar alerta para no caer en un timo en línea.
It is important to be cautious not to fall for an online scam.
La policía advierte sobre un nuevo timo que está circulando en la ciudad.
The police warn about a new scam that is circulating in the city.
While "timo" does not have a wide array of idiomatic expressions, it is often contextually linked with phrases that denote caution against deceitful behavior.
No te dejes engañar por el timo de la estampita.
Don't let yourself be fooled by the trick of the handkerchief.
(Referring to a common scam involving street performers or fake sales.)
El timo del siglo es un ejemplo de cómo la avaricia puede nublar el juicio.
The scam of the century is an example of how greed can cloud judgment.
(This phrase highlights a particularly notorious scam.)
Si algo suena demasiado bueno para ser verdad, podría ser un timo.
If something sounds too good to be true, it might be a scam.
(A common warning about suspicious offers.)
No caigas en el timo, piensa dos veces antes de invertir.
Don't fall for the scam, think twice before investing.
(Encouraging vigilance regarding investments.)
The word "timo" originates from the Latin "timus," which referred to a trick or a deception. Over time, its usage evolved in the Spanish language to denote various forms of scamming and deceit in social contexts.