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valiente

brave

adjective bah-LYEN-teh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: From Latin 'valens, valentis' (strong, powerful), present participle of 'valere' (to be strong).

Also means

courageous

Usage Note

Valiente can function as an adjective (un soldado valiente, a brave soldier) or informally as a noun (los valientes, the brave ones). In colloquial Spanish, valiente is also used ironically: ¡valiente amigo estás hecho! means 'some friend you are!' — a sarcastic put-down. The related nouns are valentía (bravery) and valiente (a brave person). Do not confuse with válido (valid) or valioso (valuable), which share the Latin root valere.

Examples

"Fue muy valiente al hablar con tanta honestidad."

Natural Translation

She was very brave to speak with such honesty.

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