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salvaje

wild

adjective sahl-BAH-heh Less Common

Origin: From Latin silvaticus (of the forest), from silva (forest).

Also means

savage

Usage Note

Salvaje can describe wild animals (animales salvajes), untamed landscapes, or, as a stronger term, brutal/savage behavior. Unlike silvestre (which is used mainly for plants and birds — flores silvestres = wildflowers), salvaje leans toward untamed force. It is a two-ending adjective (el/la salvaje). Used as a noun it means 'savage' and can be offensive.

Examples

"El lobo es un animal salvaje que vive en el bosque."

Natural Translation

The wolf is a wild animal that lives in the forest.

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