nativa

native woman; indigenous woman

noun adjective nah-TEE-bah Rare

Origin: From Latin nativus 'born, natural', from nasci 'to be born'.

Usage Note

Nativa is the feminine form of nativo, referring to a woman born in a particular place or belonging to an indigenous people. As an adjective it modifies feminine nouns: lengua nativa (native language), especie nativa (native species). The term hablante nativa (native speaker, female) is common in language-learning contexts.

Examples

"La nativa explicó las tradiciones de su pueblo."

Natural Translation

The native woman explained the traditions of her people.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Mexican Spanish Slang Every Traveler Should Know

Mexican Spanish slang decoded for travelers: what güey, mande, órale, and ahorita really mean, who you can safely say them to, and how rude each one is.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "I Like" in Spanish: Gustar Without the Confusion

Say I like in Spanish with gustar the right way: me gusta vs me gustan, why it's never yo gusto, the pronouns, articles, and five verbs that copy the pattern.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Tener in Spanish: Why You're Hungry, Cold & 30 Years

In Spanish you HAVE hunger, cold, and 30 years — not are them. Master tener expressions like tengo hambre, tengo frío, and tengo 30 años in one rule.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read