Spanish word

salvavidas

Pronunciation

IPA/salβaˈβiðas/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlife jacket

Example

Siempre llevo el salvavidas cuando voy en barco.

I always wear a life jacket when I go boating.

Illustration for salvavidas (life jacket)

More examples

Antes de salir del bote, abróchate el salvavidas.

Before leaving the boat, buckle the life jacket.

Core concept

A portable flotation device worn or thrown to prevent drowning.

Common phrases

  • ponerse el salvavidas

    put on the life jacket

  • abrocharse el salvavidas

    buckle the life jacket

Similar words

chaleco salvavidas: Buoyant vest worn and fastened around the torso to keep the wearer afloat.
flotador: Small inflatable flotation aid for children or non-swimmers to help them float.
bote salvavidas: Small emergency boat carried on ships for rescuing and transporting people to safety.

Definition in Spanish

Objeto que ayuda a una persona a no hundirse en el agua; puede ser un chaleco portátil o un aro salvavidas.

Word origin

Salvavidas is a Spanish compound of salvar 'to save' and vidas 'lives', literally 'life-saver', coined to describe devices that prevent drowning.

Usage tips

  • Speakers often specify the type with chaleco salvavidas for a life vest and aro salvavidas for a ring buoy.

Other meanings

  • lifebuoynoun
  • lifeguardnoun

Word lists with this word