inofensivo
“inofensivo” means “harmless” in Spanish (unable to cause physical or emotional hurt).
harmless
Also: innocuous, safe
📝 In Action
No tengas miedo, el perro es pequeño e inofensivo.
A1Don't be afraid, the dog is small and harmless.
Fue solo una broma inofensiva, no quería molestarte.
B1It was just a harmless joke, I didn't want to upset you.
Muchos creen que este químico es inofensivo para el medio ambiente.
B2Many believe this chemical is harmless to the environment.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: inofensivo
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'harmless jokes' in Spanish?
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📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'in-' (meaning 'not') combined with 'offensivus' (meaning 'striking against' or 'hurting'). It literally means 'not hurting.'
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'inofensivo' describe a person's character?
Yes! If you call someone 'inofensivo,' it means they are gentle or don't seem like they would ever cause trouble.
Is there a difference between 'inofensivo' and 'inocuo'?
'Inofensivo' is more common for animals or people. 'Inocuo' is often used for things like medicines, substances, or more formal technical contexts.
Does it always mean 'harmless' in a physical way?
No, it can also mean a comment or action wasn't meant to be rude or hurtful emotionally.