selva
/ˈselba/feminine
The English phrase 'jungle' can be translated into Spanish as selva or jungla.
Meaning: large, undeveloped, humid forest (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| selva | /ˈselba/ | feminine |
| jungla | /ˈxunɡla/ | feminine |
Both terms refer to a large, undeveloped and humid forest. You may use the term bosque tropical to refer to a tropical forest, and Selva Amazónica is used specifically to name the Amazon Rainforest. Metaphorically, to describe a 'concrete jungle' or a large, dense city, Spanish speakers use the phrase la selva de asfalto.
Which one should you use?
The adjective selvático is used to describe things that are characteristic of or pertaining to a jungle, such as a 'jungle climate' (clima selvático).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the term monte is used to refer to dense forests or bushland.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both selva and jungla are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈselba/
Did you know?
- While we use jungla to mean a lush, green environment, the word actually traces back to the Sanskrit word jaṅgala, which originally described an 'arid' or 'desert' land.
- While selva is used for any tropical rainforest, it is also used in Spain to describe any dense, wild woodland, regardless of the humidity.
- In some Latin American dialects, selva can be used metaphorically to describe a chaotic or lawless situation where only the strongest survive.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué es una jungla?What's a jungle?This sentence is useful for asking for a definition of jungla.Tatoeba #10923555 by Seael, translation #3538525 by Objectivesea
- Vi un león en la jungla.I saw a lion in the jungle.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of jungla in a simple observation.Tatoeba #10839230 by JSKabylie, translation #12944218 by araneo
- No vaya a la jungla solo.Don't go into the jungle alone.This sentence is useful for showing how to use jungla in a cautionary context.Tatoeba #7863678 by Seael, translation #7737230 by CK
- Tenemos planeado explorar la selva tropical durante nuestras vacaciones en Costa Rica.We plan to explore the tropical jungle during our vacation in Costa Rica.
- El tapir es un animal emblemático de la selva amazónica.The tapir is an emblematic animal of the Amazon jungle.
- Vimos monos en la jungla mientras navegábamos por el río.We saw monkeys in the jungle while sailing down the river.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a photograph of an expedition.
- LucíaEsta selva parece muy peligrosa.This jungle looks very dangerous.
- MateoSí, la selva es muy densa.Yes, the jungle is very dense.
- LucíaMateo, ¿quieres ir a explorar?Mateo, do you want to go exploring?
- MateoNo, prefiero quedarme en casa.No, I prefer to stay at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jungle” translations and entries selva, jungla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jungla, selva, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
