Savage

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common Casual
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Meaning: Ruthlessly honest, bold, or impressively daring — someone who says or does things without caring about consequences.

毫不留情的直率、大胆、或令人印象深刻的勇猛——不在乎后果地说话或做事的人。
Despiadadamente sincero, audaz o impresionantemente atrevido — alguien que dice o hace cosas sin importarle las consecuencias.
容赦なく正直、大胆、見事に度胸がある — 結果を気にせず言いたいことを言う・やりたいことをやる人。
가차 없이 솔직한, 대담한, 인상적으로 거침없는 — 결과를 신경 쓰지 않고 말하거나 행동하는 사람.

'Savage' in modern American slang is usually a compliment — it describes someone who's brutally honest, fearless in their words, or impressively bold. A savage comeback, a savage insult, or a savage performance all suggest impressive audacity. It celebrates the willingness to speak truth without filtering.

在现代美式俚语中,'Savage'通常是一种赞美——它形容一个人说话毒舌到位、无所畏惧,或者大胆得令人佩服。一个savage的回击、一个savage的讽刺、或者一个savage的表现,都意味着令人赞叹的胆量。这个词赞美的是那种不加掩饰地说出真相的态度。
'Savage' en el argot estadounidense moderno suele ser un cumplido — describe a alguien brutalmente sincero, intrépido con sus palabras o impresionantemente audaz. Un comentario 'savage', un insulto 'savage' o una actuación 'savage' sugieren una audacia impresionante. Celebra la disposición a decir la verdad sin filtros.
現代のアメリカンスラングでの「savage」はたいてい褒め言葉 — 残酷なほど正直、言葉に恐れがない、感心するほど大胆な人を表す。savage な切り返し、savage な皮肉、savage なパフォーマンスはどれも見事な大胆さを意味する。フィルターなしで本音を言う姿勢を称える表現。
현대 미국 슬랭에서 'Savage'는 보통 칭찬이다 — 잔인할 정도로 솔직하거나, 말에 거침이 없거나, 인상적으로 대담한 사람을 묘사한다. Savage한 반격, savage한 모욕, savage한 퍼포먼스는 모두 인상적인 대담함을 암시한다. 필터 없이 진실을 말하는 의지를 높이 평가하는 표현이다.

Examples

  1. She told him his new haircut looks like a bad wig — that was savage.
    她跟他说他的新发型看起来像劣质假发——那真是毫不留情。
    Le dijo que su nuevo corte de pelo parecía una peluca mala — eso fue brutal.
    彼女が彼に「その新しい髪型、変なカツラみたい」って言ったの — あれは容赦なかった。
    그녀가 그한테 새 머리가 싸구려 가발 같다고 했어 — 진짜 매정했다.
  2. That comeback was absolutely savage.
    那个回击简直太狠了。
    Esa respuesta fue absolutamente despiadada.
    あの切り返しは完全にエグかった。
    그 반격은 완전히 살벌했다.
  3. He's a savage on the basketball court — nobody can guard him.
    他在篮球场上简直是无敌的存在——没人能防住他。
    Es imparable en la cancha de baloncesto — nadie puede defenderlo.
    彼はバスケットコートでは無双状態 — 誰も止められない。
    그는 농구 코트에서 무적이야 — 아무도 막을 수가 없어.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: bold behavior, comebacks, sports, compliments

Tone: impressed, admiring

✓ Do Say

  • That was savage.
    That was savage.(那真狠。)
    That was savage. (Eso fue brutal.)
    That was savage.(あれは容赦なかったね。)
    그거 진짜 살벌했다.
  • She's savage.
    She's savage.(她真猛。)
    She's savage. (Ella es una bestia.)
    She's savage.(彼女はエグい。)
    그녀는 진짜 거침없어.

✗ Don't Say

  • The word has a problematic history when used about Indigenous peoples — in modern slang it's divorced from that context, but be aware of the word's colonial baggage
    这个词在用于描述原住民时有很大争议——在现代俚语中它已脱离了那个语境,但要注意这个词的殖民历史包袱。
    La palabra tiene un historial problemático cuando se usa refiriéndose a pueblos indígenas — en el argot moderno está desvinculada de ese contexto, pero conviene ser consciente de la carga colonial del término.
    この単語は先住民族に対して使われた差別的な歴史がある — 現代のスラングではその文脈とは切り離されているが、植民地時代の重荷を持つ言葉であることは認識しておくべき。
    이 단어는 원주민에 대해 사용될 때 문제적인 역사를 가지고 있다 — 현대 슬랭에서는 그 맥락과 분리되었지만, 단어의 식민지적 배경을 인식할 필요가 있다.

Origin & History

Reclaimed from its original pejorative meaning through hip-hop and social media culture in the 2010s. Megan Thee Stallion's 2020 hit 'Savage' cemented it as a term of empowerment. The word shifted from negative to aspirational in casual American speech.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s modern usage

Generation: Millennials, Gen Z

Social background: Universal

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