Inklingo

How to Say "fierce" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “fierce” is “feroz” — use 'feroz' when describing something or someone as aggressive, dangerous, or frightening, often implying a wild or untamed nature..

feroz🔊B1

Use 'feroz' when describing something or someone as aggressive, dangerous, or frightening, often implying a wild or untamed nature.

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bravo🔊B1

Use 'bravo' to describe a natural element like a river or the sea as wild, untamed, or having a strong, dangerous current or force.

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salvaje🔊B2

Use 'salvaje' when referring to something as intensely violent or uncontrolled, often describing actions or events like protests or behavior.

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furioso🔊B2

Use 'furioso' primarily to describe natural forces like storms or the sea when they are extremely violent and raging.

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violentos🔊B2

Use 'violentos' specifically to describe strong, forceful, and destructive winds or storms.

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terrible🔊B2

Use 'terrible' in a less common, often idiomatic sense to describe an extreme degree of something, like hunger or a great event, sometimes with a positive connotation.

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English → Spanish

feroz

/feh-ROHS//feˈɾos/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'feroz' when describing something or someone as aggressive, dangerous, or frightening, often implying a wild or untamed nature.
A snarling wolf with bared teeth standing in a dark forest.

Examples

Ten cuidado con ese perro, es muy feroz.

Be careful with that dog; it is very fierce.

El lobo feroz sopló y sopló la casa de paja.

The big bad wolf huffed and puffed at the straw house.

One Form for All

This word stays the same whether you are talking about a male (un león feroz) or a female (una leona feroz). You don't need to change the ending to 'a'.

Plural Spelling

Mistake: “Los perros ferozes.”

Correction: Los perros feroces.

bravo

BRAH-voh/ˈbɾaβo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'bravo' to describe a natural element like a river or the sea as wild, untamed, or having a strong, dangerous current or force.
A powerful, dark brown bull with large horns standing defiantly in a rugged, overgrown field, symbolizing wildness and being untamed.

Examples

Tuvimos que cruzar el río bravo, lleno de rocas y mucha corriente.

We had to cross the wild river, full of rocks and a strong current.

Cuidado con ese perro, es muy bravo y muerde.

Be careful with that dog, it is very fierce/aggressive and bites.

Describing Nature

When describing natural elements like oceans or rivers, 'bravo' emphasizes danger, roughness, or untamed power.

salvaje

/sal-VA-he//salˈβaxe/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'salvaje' when referring to something as intensely violent or uncontrolled, often describing actions or events like protests or behavior.
A close-up illustration of a tiger's face with its mouth wide open, showing a fierce roar and intense eyes.

Examples

Hubo una protesta salvaje en la ciudad, con muchos disturbios.

There was a fierce/violent protest in the city, with many disturbances.

Su reacción fue tan salvaje que nadie supo qué hacer.

His reaction was so brutal/uncivilized that nobody knew what to do.

Adverb Form

To say something happened 'wildly' or 'savagely,' you add '-mente' to the feminine form: 'salvajemente'.

furioso

/foo-ree-OH-so//fuˈɾjoso/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'furioso' primarily to describe natural forces like storms or the sea when they are extremely violent and raging.
A simplified illustration of a violent, intense storm over the ocean, showing huge crashing waves and dark, swirling clouds.

Examples

El mar estaba furioso y nadie se atrevió a navegar.

The sea was fierce/raging and no one dared to sail.

Ganó la carrera con una velocidad furiosa.

He won the race with furious speed (great intensity/speed).

violentos

/bee-oh-LEHN-tohs//bjoˈlentos/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'violentos' specifically to describe strong, forceful, and destructive winds or storms.
A powerful storm with dark clouds and trees bending in the wind.

Examples

Hubo vientos violentos durante la tormenta.

There were fierce winds during the storm.

Esa pintura tiene contrastes muy violentos.

That painting has very intense/vivid contrasts.

terrible

/teh-REE-bleh//teˈrible/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'terrible' in a less common, often idiomatic sense to describe an extreme degree of something, like hunger or a great event, sometimes with a positive connotation.
A small figure sweating profusely under a tiny umbrella, dwarfed by a massive, intensely bright, radiating sun, symbolizing intense heat or tremendous scale.

Examples

¡Qué fiesta tan terrible! Nos divertimos muchísimo.

What a tremendous party! We had a great time.

Tengo un hambre terrible, podría comerme un caballo.

I'm terribly hungry, I could eat a horse.

El nuevo cantante tiene una voz terrible.

The new singer has a tremendous/powerful voice.

Boosting Another Word's Power

In this use, 'terrible' doesn't mean 'bad'. Instead, it acts like 'very' or 'extremely' to make another word stronger. So, 'un hambre terrible' means 'extreme hunger,' not 'a bad-tasting hunger'.

Confusing 'Bad' with 'Intense'

Mistake: “Hearing '¡Qué mujer tan terrible!' and always assuming it's an insult.”

Correction: It could be an insult, OR it could mean 'What a formidable/impressive woman!'. The speaker's tone of voice and the situation are your best clues to figure out the real meaning.

Feroz vs. Furioso vs. Salvaje

Learners often confuse 'feroz,' 'furioso,' and 'salvaje.' Remember that 'feroz' is best for aggressive animals or people, 'furioso' is typically for raging natural elements like the sea, and 'salvaje' describes intense, uncontrolled violence, often in events or behavior.

Related Translations

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