Espionaje (en. Espionage)

/es.pjo.'na.xe/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
noun
Activities carried out to obtain secret or confidential information, especially by governments or organizations.
International espionage has increased in recent decades.
El espionaje internacional ha aumentado en las últimas décadas.
The practice of infiltrating agents into rival or enemy organizations to extract information.
The agency specializes in industrial espionage.
La agencia se especializa en el espionaje industrial.
The act of secretly watching someone to obtain private information.
Espionage in politics is very common.
El espionaje en la política es muy común.

Etymology

From the French 'espionnage', which comes from 'espion', meaning 'spy'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

industrial espionage
Obtaining trade secrets from a competing company.
espionaje industrial
military espionage
A set of activities related to gathering information on enemy armed forces.
espionaje militar
espionage network
An organized structure intended to carry out espionage activities.
red de espionaje

Related Words

spy
A person who carries out espionage activities.
espía
intelligence
A set of activities aimed at obtaining useful information for defense or national security.
inteligencia
counterintelligence
Activities aimed at preventing or neutralizing enemy espionage.
contraespionaje

Slang Meanings

Gossip or rumor that circulates about someone.
In the office, everyone engages in espionage about each other's personal lives.
En la oficina todos hacen espionaje sobre la vida personal de los demás.
The practice of following someone out of curiosity.
He became a spy on his own friends by following their social media.
Se convirtió en un espía de sus propios amigos al seguir sus redes sociales.