selva
“selva” means “rainforest” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
rainforest, jungle
Also: 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.
jungle, wilderness
Also: maze
📝 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.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: selva
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish word would you use to describe the dense, tropical forest of Costa Rica?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'selva' comes directly from the Latin word *silva*, which simply meant 'forest' or 'woods'. Over time in Spanish, 'selva' became reserved for the thickest, most complex forests, especially the tropical kind.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (similar forms found in the 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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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.