How to Say "hostile" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “hostile” is “agresivo” — use 'agresivo' when describing someone or something that shows unfriendliness or is prone to attack, like an animal or a person's behavior.
agresivo
ah-greh-SEE-boha.ɣɾeˈsi.βo
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!)
hostil
ohs-TEELosˈtil
Examples
El desierto es un entorno muy hostil para la vida.
The desert is a very harsh environment for life.
Su actitud fue bastante hostil durante la reunión.
His attitude was quite hostile during the meeting.
No entiendo por qué eres tan hostil con nosotros.
I don't understand why you are so unfriendly toward us.
Gender-Neutral Ending
This word ends in 'l', which means it doesn't change based on gender. You can use 'hostil' for both masculine and feminine things (e.g., 'un hombre hostil' or 'una mujer hostil').
The Silent H
Mistake: “Pronouncing the 'h' like in the English word 'hostile'.”
Correction: In Spanish, the 'h' is always silent. Start the sound directly with the 'o' (ohs-TEEL).
adverso
ad-BER-soaðˈβeɾso
Examples
El partido se suspendió por el clima adverso.
The game was suspended due to the unfavorable weather.
Esta medicina no tiene efectos adversos.
This medicine has no adverse effects.
Tuvimos que trabajar en condiciones muy adversas.
We had to work in very hostile conditions.
Matching the word it describes
Just like most Spanish adjectives, this word must match the thing it describes. Use 'adverso' for masculine things (el clima) and 'adversa' for feminine things (la situación).
Position for Emphasis
While you usually put it after the noun (clima adverso), placing it before (adverso clima) makes it sound very poetic or dramatic, which is common in literature.
Adverso vs. Adversario
Mistake: “Using 'adverso' to mean an opponent.”
Correction: Use 'adversario' for a person you are competing against. Use 'adverso' to describe a situation that is working against you.
enemigo
e-ne-MÍ-goe.neˈmi.ɣo
Examples
Cruzamos la línea a territorio enemigo con mucho cuidado.
We crossed the line into hostile territory very carefully.
Las fuerzas enemigas atacaron al amanecer.
The opposing forces attacked at dawn.
El presidente se mostró enemigo a cualquier tipo de reforma.
The president showed himself opposed to any kind of reform.
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, 'enemigo' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. For example, 'fuerzas' (forces) is feminine plural, so you say 'fuerzas enemigas'.
Using the Singular
Mistake: “Llegaron los barcos enemigo.”
Correction: Llegaron los barcos enemigos. (Since 'barcos' is plural, the adjective must also be plural.)
violento
bee-oh-LEHN-tohbjoˈlento
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.)
Hostil vs. Agresivo
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