Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Safe in Spanish
Seguro · adjective/noun · seh-GOO-roh
"Safe" as an adjective translates to seguro (masculine) or segura (feminine) in Spanish, conveying protection from danger or certainty. As a noun — the metal box for valuables — the translation is caja fuerte. Understanding which part of speech you need determines the correct word.
seh-GOO-roh
Este barrio es muy seguro por la noche.
This neighborhood is very safe at night.
Safe in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for safe, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| seguro | safe | seh-GOO-roh | Default, widely understood |
| segura | safe | feminine adjective form | |
| caja fuerte | safe | noun — strongbox/vault |
How Native Speakers Use Seguro
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing a place
¿Es seguro caminar por aquí de noche?
Is it safe to walk around here at night?
Seguro functions as a predicate adjective describing the safety of an activity or location.
Valuables storage
Guardé los documentos en la caja fuerte del hotel.
I kept the documents in the hotel safe.
Caja fuerte is the physical safe or vault — never shortened to just seguro in this sense.
Feeling secure
Me siento segura cuando estoy contigo.
I feel safe when I'm with you.
With sentirse, seguro/a expresses an emotional state of security. Note the feminine ending matching the speaker.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Seguro
Using seguro as a noun for strongbox
Incorrect: Pon las joyas en el seguro.
Correct: Pon las joyas en la caja fuerte.
Seguro as a noun means 'insurance' or 'lock/clasp,' not 'safe.' The metal vault for valuables is always caja fuerte.
Forgetting gender agreement
Incorrect: La zona es seguro.
Correct: La zona es segura.
Seguro must agree with the noun it modifies. Zona is feminine, so the adjective takes the -a ending: segura.
Lock in Safe Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Seguro used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using seguro in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Este barrio es muy seguro por la noche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Safe in Spanish
- Does seguro also mean 'insurance'?
- When used as a masculine noun, seguro commonly means 'insurance' — for example, seguro médico (health insurance) or seguro de vida (life insurance). Context always clarifies whether the speaker means 'safe' or 'insurance.'
- How do I say 'safe and sound' in Spanish?
- The idiomatic expression is sano y salvo (masculine) or sana y salva (feminine). It literally translates to 'healthy and saved' and is used exactly like 'safe and sound' in English.
- What is the difference between seguro and a salvo?
- Seguro describes a general state of safety or security (a safe neighborhood, a safe car). A salvo means 'out of danger' and implies that a threat existed: Los niños están a salvo (The children are safe / out of danger).