Sign in
brave and Spanish bravo
In English
brave
courageous
In Spanish
bravo
enojado, feroz
Spanish "bravo" means: angry / fierce
Why they get mixed up Spanish "bravo" means courageous, but it's also used to applaud someone or to describe someone aggressive or violent. English "brave" is exclusively courageous and bold, without the connotation of aggression or the applause use.
If you want to say...
- bravevaliente
- fiercebravo o feroz
- angryenojado
Examples
He was brave during the storm.
Fue valiente durante la tormenta.
What a brave decision!
¡Qué decisión tan valiente!
The brave firefighter saved the child.
El valiente bombero salvó al niño.
It takes a brave person to admit a mistake.
Hace falta ser valiente para admitir un error.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Mi perro es muy bravo, siempre me protege.
Correct: Mi perro es muy valiente, siempre me protege.
In Spanish, bravo often means fierce or angry, not brave.
Incorrect: Ese niño es muy bravo, salvó a su hermano.
Correct: Ese niño es muy valiente, salvó a su hermano.
Use valiente or valeroso for brave.
Phrases you will hear
- a brave decisionuna decisión valiente
- brave soldierssoldados valientes
- Be brave.Sé valiente.
- put on a brave faceponer buena cara ante la adversidad
- a brave new worldun mundo feliz
- a fierce dogun perro bravo
In a conversation
- A:
Are you afraid of the dentist?
¿Le tienes miedo al dentista?
- B:
A little, but I'll be brave.
Un poco, pero seré valiente.
- A:
Careful, that dog is fierce.
Cuidado, ese perro es bravo.
- B:
I'll stay back. I'm brave, not crazy!
Me quedo atrás. Soy valiente, ¡no loco!
Test yourself
"A brave soldier" is a soldier who is...
To remember it
Brave = courageous. Angry/fierce (Spanish "bravo") = fierce/angry.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "bravo" mean?
Spanish "bravo" means "angry / fierce". It looks like the English "brave", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "brave" means "courageous".
Does English "brave" mean the same as Spanish "bravo"?
Spanish "bravo" means courageous, but it's also used to applaud someone or to describe someone aggressive or violent. English "brave" is exclusively courageous and bold, without the connotation of aggression or the applause use.