Inklingo

How to Say "aggressive" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agresivo

ah-greh-SEE-boha.ɣɾeˈsi.βo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'agresivo' to describe a person or animal that is hostile, combative, or prone to attacking.
A small dog baring its teeth and growling at a toy.

Examples

Mi perro no es agresivo, solo quiere jugar.

My dog is not aggressive; he just wants to play.

Me asusté porque me habló con un tono muy agresivo.

I got scared because he spoke to me in a very aggressive tone.

Matching Gender and Number

Since this is a describing word, change the ending to '-a' for girls/feminine objects, '-os' for groups of boys, and '-as' for groups of girls.

The Double 'G' Trap

Mistake: “aggresivo”

Correction: agresivo (only one 'g' in Spanish!)

violento

bee-oh-LEHN-tohbjoˈlento

adjectiveA2general
Use 'violento' when referring to extreme physical force, brutality, or a generally harsh or disturbing nature, often used for media content.
A colorful illustration of a small tree being bent severely by a powerful, unseen wind, symbolizing forceful action.

Examples

La película era demasiado violenta para los niños.

The movie was too violent for the children.

Necesitamos un cambio, esta situación es violenta e injusta.

We need a change; this situation is aggressive and unfair.

El guardia de seguridad tuvo que detener al hombre violento.

The security guard had to stop the violent man.

Gender and Number Match

As an adjective, 'violento' must match the thing it describes. Use 'violenta' for feminine singular nouns (la mujer violenta), 'violentos' for masculine plural (los hombres violentos), and 'violentas' for feminine plural (las acciones violentas).

Confusing Adjective and Adverb

Mistake: “Él actuó violento.”

Correction: Él actuó violentamente. (Use the adverb 'violentamente' when describing how an action was performed.)

depredador

deh-preh-dah-DORdepɾeðaˈðoɾ

adjectiveB2business
Use 'depredador' specifically for business or economic contexts to describe unfair or harmful competitive practices.
A large, dark shadow of a hawk looming over a small, bright butterfly.

Examples

Esa empresa utiliza tácticas depredadoras para eliminar a la competencia.

That company uses predatory tactics to eliminate the competition.

Internet puede ser peligroso debido a los comportamientos depredadores.

The internet can be dangerous due to predatory behaviors.

Tiene un instinto depredador para los negocios.

He has a predatory instinct for business.

Placement after the noun

In Spanish, descriptive words like this usually come after the thing they are describing (e.g., 'táctica depredadora').

Agresivo vs. Violento

Learners often confuse 'agresivo' and 'violento'. 'Agresivo' is for general hostility or a tendency to attack, while 'violento' implies a higher degree of force or brutality, often used for media.

Related Translations

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