heypolyglot
Italian

salvo

/ˈsal.vo/adjective / nounB2 / C1
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Meaning · adjective

safe, unhurt

  • intact, undamaged

In a sentence

Dopo l'incidente, per fortuna è salvo.

After the accident, luckily he is safe.

I bicchieri sono ancora salvi dopo il trasloco?

Are the glasses still intact after the move?

I passeggeri sono tutti sani e salvi.

The passengers are all safe and sound.

Word forms (4)
WordWord forms
salvomasculine · singular
salvafeminine · singular
salvimasculine · plural
salvefeminine · plural

Usage notes

  • Mostly literary or formal as an adjective. In everyday speech, Italians more often say sicuro, illeso, or intatto depending on context.
  • Often follows the noun in fixed expressions: sano e salvo, trarre in salvo. Alone as an adjective sounds elevated.
  • Do not confuse adjective salvo with the preposition salvo meaning except for; they are common in very different contexts.

Related words

Opposites

Meaning · noun

safety, rescue

In a sentence

Alla fine, il salvo è arrivato via radio.

In the end, the salvo came over the radio.

Hai sentito il salvo durante il gioco?

Did you hear the salvo during the game?

Non ho capito da dove veniva quel salvo.

I didn't understand where that salvo was coming from.

Word forms (2)
WordWord forms
salvomasculine · singular
salvimasculine · plural

Usage notes

  • As a noun, salvo is uncommon alone; Italians more often use salvezza for “salvation” in general contexts.
  • Very common in fixed expressions like in salvo and mettere in salvo, meaning safe or to bring to safety.
  • Don’t confuse noun salvo with the preposition salvo = “except for,” which is much more frequent.

Related words

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