Traïdor

Traïdor is the Catalan noun for a person who betrays someone’s trust or loyalty, typically by acting against them or by siding with an opponent. It is equivalent to the English “traitor” and the Spanish “traidor.” The feminine form is traïdora and the plural is traïdors. The term is used in everyday speech, journalism, and literature to describe acts of betrayal in personal, political, or military contexts.

Origin and orthography: traïdor comes from Late Latin traditor, from Latin tradere “to hand over, betray.” In Catalan, the diaeresis on the i (ï) marks that the vowel is pronounced separately from the preceding vowel, preserving two syllables: tra-ï-dor.

Usage and nuance: calling someone a traïdor carries moral condemnation and connotations of treachery. It can refer to a person who reveals secrets, undermines a group, or switches allegiance. The term is applicable to individuals and, metaphorically, to actions or events seen as betrayals of trust or allegiance.

Related terms and context: related forms include traïdoria, meaning treachery or betrayal. The concept appears across Catalan literature and historical narratives as a focal point for conflict and consequence. The word is cognate with similar terms in related Romance languages, reflecting a common semantic root related to handing over or betraying.