furtivo
“furtivo” means “stealthy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
stealthy
Also: furtive, clandestine
📝 In Action
Le lanzó una mirada furtiva a su teléfono durante la cena.
B1She gave a stealthy look at her phone during dinner.
Tuvieron un encuentro furtivo en el parque a medianoche.
B2They had a secret meeting in the park at midnight.
El gato se acercó de manera furtiva a la paloma.
C1The cat approached the pigeon in a stealthy way.
poacher
📝 In Action
Los guardias atraparon al furtivo en el bosque.
B2The guards caught the poacher in the woods.
El furtivo llevaba redes prohibidas en su bote.
C1The poacher was carrying forbidden nets in his boat.
Hay leyes muy estrictas contra los furtivos.
C1There are very strict laws against poachers.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: furtivo
Question 1 of 3
What is a 'mirada furtiva'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'furtivus,' which means 'stolen' or 'hidden.' It comes from the same family as 'fur' (thief).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'furtivo' always mean something illegal?
Not always, but it usually describes something you don't want others to see. While poaching is illegal, a 'mirada furtiva' (secret glance) is just sneaky, not necessarily against the law.
What is the difference between 'sigiloso' and 'furtivo'?
Sigiloso focuses on being quiet (like a ninja). Furtivo focuses on being secret or hidden, often because you are doing something you shouldn't.
Can I use 'furtivo' for people?
Yes, you can use it as an adjective (un hombre furtivo) or as a noun specifically meaning a poacher.