Inklingo

How to Say "untamed" in Spanish

English → Spanish

salvaje

/sal-VA-he//salˈβaxe/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'salvaje' when referring to an animal or plant that is not domesticated and lives in its natural environment.
A solitary gray wolf stands on a rocky outcrop in a dense forest, looking alert and untamed.

Examples

Vimos un oso salvaje en la montaña.

We saw a wild bear in the mountain.

La costa es muy salvaje y no hay edificios.

The coast is very wild (natural) and there are no buildings.

Los caballos salvajes corren libres por la pradera.

The wild horses run free across the prairie.

Always the Same Form

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'salvaje' doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns. It is 'el animal salvaje' and 'la vida salvaje'.

bravo

BRAH-voh/ˈbɾaβo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'bravo' to describe something, like a river or a storm, that is powerful, fierce, or difficult to control.
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 vs. Bravo

Learners often confuse 'salvaje' and 'bravo' when describing things that are 'untamed'. Remember that 'salvaje' typically applies to living things that are not domesticated, while 'bravo' is better suited for describing natural forces or situations that are powerful and difficult to control.

Related Translations

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