Inklingo

How to Say "native" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “native” is “indios” — use 'indios' when referring to indigenous people or things originating from a particular place, often in a historical or cultural context..

indios🔊B2

Use 'indios' when referring to indigenous people or things originating from a particular place, often in a historical or cultural context.

{ui.learnMore}
local🔊B1

Use 'local' to refer to a person who lives in or comes from a particular place, especially when asking for information or recommendations.

{ui.learnMore}
nacido🔊A1

Use 'nacido' to describe someone's birthplace or where they were born, often focusing on the act of birth and the location.

{ui.learnMore}
natural🔊C1

Use 'natural' when referring to a person who is a native of a specific place, emphasizing their origin and belonging to that location.

{ui.learnMore}
natal🔊B1

Use 'natal' to describe a place of birth, such as a hometown or the region where someone was born.

{ui.learnMore}
naturales🔊A2

Use 'naturales' when referring to plants, animals, or resources that are indigenous to a region or exist in their original state.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

indios

/EEN-dee-ohs//ˈindjos/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'indios' when referring to indigenous people or things originating from a particular place, often in a historical or cultural context.
A storybook illustration of a brightly colored, hand-woven textile with traditional indigenous geometric patterns.

Examples

Los textiles indios son famosos por sus colores brillantes.

Indigenous textiles are famous for their bright colors.

Estudiamos varios dialectos indios que están en peligro de extinción.

We are studying several native dialects that are in danger of extinction.

Agreement Rule

As an adjective, 'indios' must match the noun it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine). For feminine plural nouns, use 'indias'.

local

lo-CAL/loˈkal/

nounB1general
Use 'local' to refer to a person who lives in or comes from a particular place, especially when asking for information or recommendations.
An illustration of a relaxed, smiling person leaning against a unique stone fountain in a sunny town square, suggesting familiarity with the place.

Examples

Pregúntale a un local, seguro que conoce el camino más corto.

Ask a local, surely they know the shortest way.

Las locales siempre saben dónde comprar mejor.

The local women/residents always know where to shop best.

Used Like an Adjective

This noun is formed by using the adjective (Definition 1) alone. You can say 'el local' (the male local) or 'la local' (the female local), but remember the adjective form never changes its ending to -a.

nacido

/na-SEE-doh//naˈsiðo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'nacido' to describe someone's birthplace or where they were born, often focusing on the act of birth and the location.
A close-up illustration of a peaceful newborn baby swaddled tightly in a white blanket, sleeping soundly.

Examples

Mi abuelo era un hombre nacido en el campo.

My grandfather was a man born in the countryside.

La recién nacida está durmiendo tranquilamente.

The newborn (girl) is sleeping peacefully.

Los problemas nacidos de la crisis son evidentes.

The problems arising from the crisis are evident.

Agreement is Key

As an adjective, 'nacido' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'nacida' (f. singular), 'nacidos' (m. plural), etc.

Forgetting the Accent on 'Recién'

Mistake: “Muchos padres quieren ver a su recien nacido.”

Correction: The adverb 'recién' (recently) must carry an accent when it comes before the past participle: 'recién nacido'.

natural

/nah-too-RAHL//na.tuˈɾal/

nounC1formal
Use 'natural' when referring to a person who is a native of a specific place, emphasizing their origin and belonging to that location.
A person standing confidently next to a giant saguaro cactus in a stylized desert landscape, symbolizing a native resident of that area.

Examples

Mi abuelo es natural de un pequeño pueblo costero.

My grandfather is a native of a small coastal town.

Los naturales de la isla recibieron a los visitantes con una danza tradicional.

The natives (or local inhabitants) of the island greeted the visitors with a traditional dance.

Noun Use

When used as a noun, 'natural' means 'person from that place.' Remember to use the appropriate article: 'el natural' (male native) or 'la natural' (female native).

natal

/nah-TAHL//naˈtal/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'natal' to describe a place of birth, such as a hometown or the region where someone was born.
A small, fluffy baby bird sitting comfortably in a round straw nest nestled among green leaves on a tree branch.

Examples

Ella siempre extraña su ciudad natal.

She always misses her hometown.

Regresó a su suelo natal después de diez años.

He returned to his native land after ten years.

El español es su lengua natal.

Spanish is his native language.

One Form for All

This word stays the same whether you are describing a masculine thing (un país natal) or a feminine thing (una ciudad natal). It doesn't change its ending for gender.

Natal vs. Nativo

Mistake: “Using 'natal' to describe a person.”

Correction: Use 'nativo' for people ('él es nativo de aquí') and 'natal' for places or things related to birth ('su ciudad natal').

naturales

nah-too-RAH-les/na.tuˈɾa.les/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'naturales' when referring to plants, animals, or resources that are indigenous to a region or exist in their original state.
A vibrant green mountain landscape featuring a tall pine tree and a small blue river flowing in the foreground.

Examples

Necesitamos proteger los recursos naturales del planeta.

We need to protect the planet's natural resources.

Para ella, las matemáticas son naturales.

For her, mathematics comes naturally (is inherent).

Los colores de este cuadro son tan naturales.

The colors in this painting are so natural (realistic).

Adjective Agreement

Since 'naturales' is an adjective, it must agree in number (plural) with the noun it describes, regardless of whether the noun is masculine (recursos) or feminine (leyes).

Using the singular form

Mistake: “Los recursos natural.”

Correction: Los recursos naturales. Remember to make the adjective plural when the noun is plural.

Confusing 'local' and 'natural' for people

Learners often confuse 'local' (a person from a place) and 'natural' (a native of a place). While both refer to people, 'local' is more common for everyday use when asking for directions or recommendations, while 'natural' emphasizes origin and belonging.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.