How to Say "maze" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “maze” is “laberinto” — use 'laberinto' when referring to a literal maze, such as one found in a garden, park, or as a puzzle..
laberinto
lah-beh-REEN-toh/laβeˈɾinto/
Examples
Nos perdimos en el laberinto del jardín botánico.
We got lost in the botanical garden's maze.
Los niños se divirtieron mucho en el laberinto del parque.
The children had a lot of fun in the park's maze.
Según el mito, el Minotauro vivía en un laberinto.
According to the myth, the Minotaur lived in a labyrinth.
Gender Tip
Even though it sounds like a complex word, it follows the standard rule: words ending in -o are almost always masculine, so you use 'el' or 'un'.
Pronunciation of the 'r'
Mistake: “Pronouncing it like the English 'r'.”
Correction: In 'laberinto', the 'r' is a single tap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, similar to the 'dd' in the English word 'ladder'.
selva
/sel-vah//ˈselβa/
Examples
El tráfico en la ciudad era una verdadera selva.
The traffic in the city was a real jungle.
La ciudad se convirtió en una selva de cemento donde solo sobreviven los más fuertes.
The city turned into a concrete jungle where only the strongest survive.
El mercado financiero es una selva; hay que tener cuidado con las inversiones.
The financial market is a jungle; you have to be careful with investments.
Figurative Use
This meaning uses 'selva' to compare a difficult situation (like a competitive office or a big city) to a literal jungle.
Physical Maze vs. Chaotic Situation
Related Translations
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