selectivo
“selectivo” means “selective” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
selective
Also: picky, discerning
📝 In Action
Él es muy selectivo con la comida que elige.
A2He is very selective with the food he chooses.
A veces tengo una memoria selectiva y olvido lo malo.
B1Sometimes I have a selective memory and forget the bad things.
La empresa tiene un proceso selectivo muy riguroso.
B2The company has a very rigorous selection process.
stock index
📝 In Action
El selectivo español cayó un dos por ciento hoy.
C1The Spanish stock index fell two percent today.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: selectivo
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence describes someone who is very careful about choosing friends?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'selectus,' which is the past form of 'seligere' (to choose or pick out). The ending '-ivo' was added to turn it into a word that describes a characteristic.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'selectivo' the same as 'picky'?
Sort of! 'Selectivo' is more formal and can be a good thing (you have high standards). If you want to say someone is annoyingly picky about small things, words like 'tiquismiquis' are more common.
When should I use 'selectiva'?
Use it whenever you are describing a feminine noun. For example: 'una persona selectiva' or 'una mirada selectiva'.
Does it mean the same as the 'Selectividad' exam?
They are related! 'Selectividad' is the name of the entrance exam for Spanish universities. It is called that because it is a 'selective' process to filter students.