Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| salvaje | /salˈbaxe/ |
| montaraz | /montaˈɾaθ/ /montaˈɾas/ |
Both salvaje and montaraz are used to describe things that are not domesticated or tamed. Salvaje is the standard term for describing animals or can be used figuratively to describe behavior, such as un comportamiento salvaje (wild behavior). If you wish to emphasize the ferocity or aggression of a wild animal, you might use feroz. To describe animals that are specifically untamed or unbreakable, indómito is a suitable choice. When 'wild' refers to uncontrolled or unrestrained conduct, desenfrenado is appropriate. If you are using 'wild' to describe a thrilling or adventurous experience, you can use emocionante or aventurero.
Which one should you use?
While salvaje is the standard term for 'wild', montaraz is a more literary or archaic term often used to describe something wild, rugged or untamed within a wilderness context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective salvaje becomes salvajes when used in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/salˈbaxe/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American contexts, salvaje is used as a slang intensifier to mean 'incredible' or 'extreme' in a positive sense.
- In Spanish, to say 'wildflowers' you would not typically use flores salvajes, but rather flores silvestres.
- The word salvaje shares its DNA with the English word 'savage', as both descend from a root meaning 'of the woods'.
Examples in context
- El jabalí es salvaje.The boar is wild.This sentence shows how to use salvaje to describe an animal.Tatoeba #7865787 by Seael, translation #11243468 by Luornu
- Bienvenido al Salvaje Oeste.Welcome to the Wild West.This sentence uses salvaje as part of a proper noun phrase.Tatoeba #4762525 by DarkHollow, translation #1073857 by Mofli
- El zorro es un animal salvaje.A fox is a wild animal.This sentence uses salvaje to categorize an animal.Tatoeba #863439 by Rafp, translation #63324 by CK
- El tigre es un animal salvaje y poderoso.The tiger is a wild and powerful animal.
- La naturaleza tiene una belleza salvaje irresistible.Nature has an irresistible wild beauty.
- Tenemos que hacer algo loco este fin de semana.We need to do something wild this weekend.
- Julia tiene una imaginación desenfrenada.Julia has a wild imagination.
- Su espíritu aventurero la llevó a recorrer lugares salvajes.Her adventurous spirit led her to explore wild places.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at a nature documentary on TV.
- Javier¿Viste ese animal salvaje?Did you see that wild animal?
- ElenaSí, es un leopardo muy salvaje.Yes, it is a very wild leopard.
- JavierElena, me da miedo su aspecto.Elena, its appearance scares me.
- ElenaEs normal, Javier, es un depredador.It is normal, Javier, it is a predator.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wild” translations and entries salvaje, montaraz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries salvaje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
