chaleco salvavidas
/t͡ʃaˌleko salbaˈbidas/masculine
The English phrase life jacket is translated into Spanish as chaleco salvavidas. Wiktionary also lists salvavidas.
Meaning: An article of protective clothing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chaleco salvavidas | /t͡ʃaˌleko salbaˈbidas/ | masculine |
| salvavidas | /ˌsalbaˈbidas/ | masculine |
A life jacket is an article of protective clothing.
What does it mean word for word?
The term chaleco salvavidas is composed of chaleco (vest) and salvavidas (life-saver/lifesaver).
Which one should you use?
You may see salvavidas used as a shorthand. Note that salvavidas can also refer to a lifebuoy or the general concept of a life-saver.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, salvavidas is a way to say life jacket. In Spain, chaleco de flotación is used to say life jacket.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun salvavidas is an invariable noun, so its form does not change between singular and plural. Because chaleco is masculine, it is preceded by the masculine article un in the phrase un chaleco salvavidas.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃaˌleko salbaˈbidas/
Did you know?
- The word chaleco likely traveled from Turkish through Italy to reach Spanish. It shares a common ancestor with the English word 'gilet'.
- While salvavidas refers to a life jacket in Argentina, in other Spanish-speaking countries it more commonly refers to a lifeguard.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, calling someone a salvavidas in a non-literal sense means they have rescued you from a difficult situation.
Examples in context
- Tom no llevaba su chaleco salvavidas.Tom wasn't wearing his life jacket.Tatoeba #10077041 by manufrutos, translation #10075976 by CK
- El chaleco salvavidasThe life jacket
- ¿Tienes un chaleco salvavidas?Do you have a life jacket?
- El uso del chaleco de rescate es obligatorioThe use of the rescue vest is mandatory
- Me gusta usar el chaleco salvavida cuando navegoI like to wear the life jacket when I go boating
- Necesito un chaleco salvavidas para el viaje.I need a life jacket for the trip.
- El chaleco salvavidas es de color naranja.The life jacket is orange.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are preparing for a boat trip.
- Elena¿Tienes tu chaleco salvavidas, Mateo?Do you have your life jacket, Mateo?
- MateoSí, ya lo tengo conmigo.Yes, I already have it with me.
- ElenaPerfecto, vamos a subir al bote.Perfect, let's get on the boat.
- MateoEstoy listo para la aventura.I am ready for the adventure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “life jacket” translations and entries chaleco salvavidas, salvavidas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chaleco, salvavidas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
