Inklingo

How to Say "safe" in Spanish

English → Spanish

seguro

/seh-GOO-roh//seˈɣu.ɾo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'seguro' when referring to a place, situation, or object that is free from danger or risk, implying general security.
A child safely riding a bicycle with a helmet and knee pads in a park.

Examples

Este barrio es muy seguro por la noche.

This neighborhood is very safe at night.

Guarda tus documentos en un lugar seguro.

Keep your documents in a secure place.

Necesitamos una escalera más segura que esta.

We need a more stable ladder than this one.

Use 'Ser' for Inherent Safety

To describe something that has the quality of being safe (like a city or a car), use the verb 'ser'. For example, 'El coche es seguro' (The car is safe).

salvo

/sal-boh//ˈsal.bo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'salvo' when someone or something has avoided harm or danger, often after a perilous event.
A small, vulnerable bird resting securely and peacefully inside a protected nest high in a tree, symbolizing being safe and unharmed.

Examples

A pesar del accidente, el conductor está salvo.

Despite the accident, the driver is safe.

Los excursionistas fueron encontrados sanos y salvos.

The hikers were found safe and sound.

La gata y sus gatitos están a salvo en el refugio.

The cat and her kittens are safe in the shelter.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'salvo' must change to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'salvo' for one masculine thing, 'salva' for one feminine thing, 'salvos' for multiple masculine things, and 'salvas' for multiple feminine things.

salvado

/sal-VAH-doh//salˈβa.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'salvado' when referring to the act of being rescued or saved from a dangerous situation, emphasizing the rescue itself.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a small figure reaching up from a shallow pool of water, grasping the outstretched hand of a larger figure standing safely on the bank, illustrating a rescue.

Examples

El excursionista perdido fue salvado justo a tiempo.

The lost hiker was saved just in time.

La contraseña está salvada en mi navegador.

The password is saved in my browser.

Las familias estaban salvadas después del huracán.

The families were safe after the hurricane.

Gender and Number Agreement

As an adjective, 'salvado' must match the thing it describes. If you talk about 'la casa' (feminine), you must say 'salvada'. If you talk about 'los documentos' (masculine plural), say 'salvados'.

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: “La niña fue salvado. (Incorrect agreement)”

Correction: La niña fue salvada. (The adjective must end in -a to match the feminine noun 'niña'.)

Seguro vs. Salvo/Salvado

Learners often confuse 'seguro' with 'salvo' and 'salvado'. Remember that 'seguro' describes a state of being free from danger (like a safe place), while 'salvo' and 'salvado' describe the state of having *emerged* from danger or being rescued.

Related Translations

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