selva
/sel-vah/
rainforest
In its primary meaning, selva refers to a vast, large tropical forest or rainforest.
selva(noun)
rainforest
?large tropical forest
,jungle
?dense, overgrown area
woods
?less common, usually for very dense woods
📝 In Action
La selva amazónica es el pulmón del planeta.
A2The Amazon rainforest is the lung of the planet.
Tuvimos que abrirnos camino con un machete a través de la densa selva.
B1We had to cut our way through the dense jungle with a machete.
En la selva viven miles de especies de animales que no se encuentran en ningún otro lugar.
A1Thousands of animal species that are not found anywhere else live in the rainforest.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'selva' is always feminine, so you must use 'la selva' or 'una selva'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Selva vs. Bosque
Mistake: "Using 'bosque' for the Amazon."
Correction: 'Selva' specifically refers to a very dense, usually tropical, rainforest. 'Bosque' is a general term for any forest or woods (like a temperate forest).
⭐ Usage Tips
Visualization Aid
Think of 'selva' when you picture the Amazon or Central America—hot, wet, and densely packed with life.
Selva can also metaphorically describe a chaotic, overgrown, or difficult-to-navigate environment, akin to a jungle.
selva(noun)
jungle
?chaotic or dangerous environment
,wilderness
?untamed, difficult situation
maze
?a confusing mess
📝 In Action
La ciudad se convirtió en una selva de cemento donde solo sobreviven los más fuertes.
B2The city turned into a concrete jungle where only the strongest survive.
El mercado financiero es una selva; hay que tener cuidado con las inversiones.
C1The financial market is a jungle; you have to be careful with investments.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning uses 'selva' to compare a difficult situation (like a competitive office or a big city) to a literal jungle.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Law of the Jungle'
The phrase 'la ley de la selva' is very common when talking about ruthless competition or unfair situations.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: selva
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish word would you use to describe the dense, tropical forest of Costa Rica?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'selva' the same as 'bosque'?
No. 'Bosque' is the general word for 'forest' or 'woods' (like a forest where it snows). 'Selva' is specifically used for a very dense, humid, tropical rainforest, usually associated with high biodiversity and year-round warmth.
Can I use 'jungla' instead of 'selva'?
Yes, 'jungla' is a perfect synonym and is also very common, often carrying the same connotation of density and wildness. 'Selva' is perhaps slightly more common in ecological contexts.