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adoptivo

adoptive

adjective ah-dohp-TEE-boh Rare
People & Society Family

Also means

adopted

Usage Note

Adoptivo follows the noun it modifies: hijo adoptivo (adopted son), padres adoptivos (adoptive parents). In Spanish the same word covers both the adopter's perspective (padres adoptivos) and the adoptee's (hijo adoptivo), unlike English which distinguishes 'adoptive' from 'adopted.' It also extends figuratively: patria adoptiva means an adopted homeland.

Examples

"Su hijo adoptivo habla tres idiomas."

Natural Translation

His adopted son speaks three languages.

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