salvaje
/sal-VA-he/
wild
Salvaje (wild) refers to animals, plants, or nature that are untamed or in their natural state.
salvaje(adjective)
wild
?referring to animals, plants, or nature
,untamed
?not domesticated
feral
?animals that have returned to a wild state
📝 In Action
Vimos un oso salvaje en la montaña.
A2We saw a wild bear in the mountain.
La costa es muy salvaje y no hay edificios.
B1The coast is very wild (natural) and there are no buildings.
Los caballos salvajes corren libres por la pradera.
A2The wild horses run free across the prairie.
💡 Grammar Points
Always the Same Form
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'salvaje' doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns. It is 'el animal salvaje' and 'la vida salvaje'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Animals
You can use 'salvaje' to describe a place that is undeveloped, beautiful, and untouched by humans, like a 'playa salvaje' (wild beach).
Salvaje can also mean fierce, suggesting intensity or violence.
salvaje(adjective)
fierce
?intense or violent
,brutal
?cruel or rough
uncivilized
?rude or lacking manners
,savage
?referring to an action
📝 In Action
Hubo una protesta salvaje en la ciudad, con muchos disturbios.
B2There was a fierce/violent protest in the city, with many disturbances.
Su reacción fue tan salvaje que nadie supo qué hacer.
C1His reaction was so brutal/uncivilized that nobody knew what to do.
💡 Grammar Points
Adverb Form
To say something happened 'wildly' or 'savagely,' you add '-mente' to the feminine form: 'salvajemente'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Strong Emotion
Use this meaning when describing emotions or actions that are completely out of control, like 'alegría salvaje' (wild joy) or 'un grito salvaje' (a fierce shout).
As a noun, salvaje translates to savage, referring to a person lacking civilization.
salvaje(noun)
savage
?a person lacking civilization (often historical or fictional)
brute
?a cruel or coarse person
📝 In Action
Lo trataron como a un salvaje por no usar cubiertos.
B2They treated him like a savage for not using cutlery.
Los exploradores se encontraron con los salvajes de la tribu.
C1The explorers met the savages of the tribe.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Change
When used as a noun, 'salvaje' must match the person's gender: 'un salvaje' (a male savage) or 'una salvaje' (a female savage).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: salvaje
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'salvaje' to describe human behavior rather than nature?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'salvaje' change its ending for masculine and feminine nouns?
No. 'Salvaje' is one of those adjectives that stays the same whether the noun it describes is masculine (el animal salvaje) or feminine (la zona salvaje). The only thing that changes is the article (el/la).
How do I say 'wildly' (as an adverb)?
You use the adverb form, 'salvajemente.' For example, 'El niño gritó salvajemente' (The child screamed wildly).