el salvaje
wild
Se dice de un animal o planta que vive en la naturaleza y no está domesticado o cuidado por personas.
Definition & meaning
Salvaje is a Spanish adjective used to describe something or someone that is in a natural, wild, or untamed state. It has several nuances:
- Wild/Untamed (Nature): Referring to animals, plants, or environments that have not been domesticated or cultivated by humans (e.g., a wild animal or a forest).
- Fierce/Violent: Describing someone or something that acts with uncontrolled aggression or cruelty.
- Extreme: Used colloquially to describe something excessive, intense, or shocking (e.g., a "wild" party or an intense effort).
- Uncivilized: In historical or anthropological contexts, it refers to people or cultures considered to exist outside of settled, organized society.
Grammar & Word origin
Salvaje functions as an adjective. It is gender-neutral, meaning the form remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., el animal salvaje / la planta salvaje). The plural form is salvajes.
Etymologically, it comes from the Latin silvaticus, which is derived from silva (forest). Therefore, the literal meaning is "of the woods" or "belonging to the woods."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Feroz (fierce/feral)
- Indómito (untamed/indomitable)
- Agreste (rural/rustic/wild)
- Brutal (brutal/savage)
Antonyms:
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Examples
El lobo salvaje salió del bosque.adjective
The wild wolf came out of the forest.
El perro salvaje corría por el campo.adjective
The wild dog was running through the field.
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