adoptivo
“adoptivo” means “adoptive” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
adoptive, adopted
Also: foster
📝 In Action
Él quiere mucho a sus padres adoptivos.
A1He loves his adoptive parents very much.
Tengo un hermano adoptivo que nació en China.
A2I have an adopted brother who was born in China.
La familia adoptiva recibió al bebé con mucha alegría.
B1The adoptive family welcomed the baby with a lot of joy.
adopted
📝 In Action
Madrid es mi ciudad adoptiva; vivo aquí hace diez años.
B1Madrid is my adopted city; I've lived here for ten years.
Se siente orgulloso de su patria adoptiva.
B2He feels proud of his adopted homeland.
Muchos inmigrantes aman a su país adoptivo como si fuera el propio.
C1Many immigrants love their adopted country as if it were their own.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: adoptivo
Question 1 of 3
How would you say 'adoptive mother' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'adoptivus,' which comes from 'adoptare,' meaning 'to choose for oneself.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'adoptivo' and 'adoptado'?
In many cases they are used similarly for a child (hijo adoptivo / hijo adoptado). However, you can ONLY use 'adoptivo' for the parents (padres adoptivos) because they are the ones doing the adopting.
Can I use 'adoptivo' for a pet?
Yes! While 'adoptado' is more common for animals, saying 'mi gato adoptivo' is perfectly understood and sounds very affectionate.
Does 'adoptivo' always end in -o?
No, it changes based on the noun: 'adoptivo' (masculine singular), 'adoptiva' (feminine singular), 'adoptivos' (masculine plural), and 'adoptivas' (feminine plural).