Words / A2

NAYT-iv/ˈneɪtɪv/

Native means connected with the place you were born: a native speaker, native language, native to this island. Local means from the area you are in now, which may not be where you were born. Foreign is a contrast. Native speaker is a common collocation. Do not write native when you mean naïve (too trusting — later level), or nation.

Meaning

Connected with the place where you were born.

Examples

• “Spanish is her native language.”
• “English is not his native language, but he is fluent.”
• “These plants are native to the west of Scotland.”

Good to know

a native speaker / native language. Contrast: local (here now), foreign. Mix-up: nation.

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