lobo solitario
/lobo solitaɾjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "lone wolf" is translated into Spanish as lobo solitario.
The phrase lobo solitario can be used both literally to describe an animal and metaphorically to describe a person who prefers to act or live alone.
Meaning: person who avoids the company of others (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "lone wolf". The word lobo means "wolf" and solitario means "solitary" or "lone".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes based on gender and number. To refer to a female lone wolf, use the feminine forms loba solitaria. To refer to multiple lone wolves, use the plural form lobos solitarios, where both the noun and the adjective take the plural suffix -s.
How do you pronounce it?
/lobo solitaɾjo/
Did you know?
- The name Lope is a traditional Spanish proper name that is a doublet of lobo. It originates from the Basque influence on the Latin word for wolf.
- While lobo solitario is a literal translation, Spanish speakers often use the phrase ir por libre to describe the act of being a lone wolf or acting independently.
- While lobo is the common word for wolf, Spanish also uses the word lupus in scientific or medical contexts. This is a learned borrowing from Latin that exists alongside the inherited lobo.
Examples in context
- En el equipo, él siempre trabaja solo. Es un verdadero lobo solitario.In the team, he always works alone. He's a true lone wolf.
- Él siempre ha sido un lobo solitario.He has always been a lone wolf.
- No seas un lobo solitario, ven con nosotros.Don't be a lone wolf, come with us.
- Prefiere vivir como un lobo solitario en la montaña.He prefers to live like a lone wolf in the mountains.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a quiet coworker at a party.
- Alejandro¿Por qué no habla con nadie?Why is he not talking to anyone?
- ElenaEs un lobo solitario, le gusta estar solo.He is a lone wolf, he likes being alone.
- AlejandroEs un poco extraño, ¿verdad?He is a bit strange, right?
- ElenaNo, simplemente es su personalidad.No, it is just his personality.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lobo, solitario, CC BY-SA 4.0.
