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virgen

BEE-rhen/'biɾxen/

pristine, untouched

Also: wild, blank
A perfectly still, clear blue lake reflecting a snow-capped mountain peak and dense green forest, representing untouched nature.

📝 In Action

Exploramos una selva virgen donde nunca había estado nadie.

B1

We explored a pristine jungle where no one had ever been.

El disco duro está virgen, no tiene archivos.

B2

The hard drive is blank; it has no files.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • intacto (intact)
  • puro (pure)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • tierra virgen – virgin land
  • nieve virgen – untouched snow

extra virgin, pure

Also: unrefined
Adjectivem/fC1technical/commercial
A single ripe green olive with a large, golden drop of oil falling from it onto a surface, symbolizing highest quality oil.

📝 In Action

El aceite de oliva virgen extra es el mejor para la salud.

B2

Extra virgin olive oil is the best for health.

Esta lana virgen es de muy alta calidad.

C1

This pure wool is very high quality.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • refinado (refined)

Common Collocations

  • aceite virgen – virgin oil
  • lana virgen – pure wool

the Virgin Mary

Also: statue of the Virgin
NounfA2neutral/religious
Latin America
A serene, peaceful woman dressed in blue and white, holding a white dove, representing the religious figure, the Virgin Mary.

📝 In Action

Visitamos la iglesia para ver la estatua de la Virgen.

A2

We visited the church to see the statue of the Virgin.

La Virgen de Fátima es venerada en Portugal.

B1

The Virgin of Fátima is worshipped in Portugal.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • Madre de Dios (Mother of God)
  • Nuestra Señora (Our Lady)

Common Collocations

  • la Virgen María – the Virgin Mary
  • una virgen negra – a Black Madonna (statue)

virgin

Also: maiden
NounfB1neutral/formal
A young person standing cautiously before a large, blank white canvas on an easel, holding a paintbrush, symbolizing inexperience or being a beginner.

📝 In Action

Las vestales romanas eran vírgenes dedicadas al templo.

B2

The Roman Vestals were virgins dedicated to the temple.

Se dice que la diosa era una virgen.

B1

It is said that the goddess was a virgin.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • casta (chaste person)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: virgen

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'virgen' to describe something untouched by humans?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
virginidad(virginity) — Noun
virginal(virginal) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word 'virgo,' meaning 'maiden' or 'unmarried woman.' The original meaning focused heavily on purity and being untouched.

First recorded: Old Spanish (around 13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: vergineFrench: vierge

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'virgen' change based on gender?

No, the word 'virgen' itself does not change its spelling. It is used for both masculine and feminine nouns. However, the articles and other adjectives around it must change: 'el bosque virgen' (masculine) and 'la tierra virgen' (feminine).

How is 'Virgen' (capital V) different from 'virgen' (lowercase v)?

'Virgen' with a capital V almost always refers to the religious figure, the Virgin Mary. 'virgen' with a lowercase V is the adjective meaning untouched, pristine, or pure.