salvo

except

preposition adjective SAHL-boh Less Common

Also means

safe, unharmed

Usage Note

Salvo as a preposition means 'except, save for' and is a formal synonym of excepto or menos (todos salvo uno, 'all except one'). As an adjective it means 'safe, unscathed' (salir sano y salvo, 'to come out safe and sound') — this adjectival sense gave rise to the phrase a salvo ('out of danger'). The two senses are distinct enough that context usually resolves the reading immediately.

Examples

"Todos llegaron salvo María."

Natural Translation

Everyone arrived except María.

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