ahorrar
/ah-oh-RRAHR (roll the 'rr')/
to save (money)
This image shows how to ahorrar (save) money by putting it into a piggy bank.
ahorrar(verb)
to save (money)
?setting aside funds
to put aside
?for future use
,to accumulate
?over time
📝 In Action
Quiero ahorrar suficiente dinero para viajar a España el próximo año.
A1I want to save enough money to travel to Spain next year.
¿Cuánto dinero ahorras al mes?
A1How much money do you save per month?
Mi abuela siempre ahorraba monedas en una caja de galletas.
A2My grandmother always saved coins in a cookie jar.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Use
Ahorrar is used directly with what you are saving, usually money or a specific quantity: 'Ahorro diez dólares' (I save ten dollars).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Ahorrar vs. Salvar
Mistake: "Using 'salvar' for money (e.g., 'Salvé mucho dinero')."
Correction: 'Salvar' means to rescue or save a life. Use 'ahorrar' only for money, time, effort, or resources.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'en'
When talking about saving money on something (e.g., saving money on clothes), use the preposition 'en': 'Ahorré mucho dinero en la venta' (I saved a lot of money at the sale).
Using a tool like this wheelbarrow helps ahorrar (save) effort and time when gardening.
ahorrar(verb)
to save (time/effort)
?to avoid spending or wasting
to conserve
?resources like energy or water
,to spare
?avoiding unnecessary use
📝 In Action
Tomar la autopista nos ayuda a ahorrar tiempo.
A2Taking the highway helps us save time.
Debemos ahorrar agua y electricidad en casa para proteger el medio ambiente.
B1We must conserve water and electricity at home to protect the environment.
Este nuevo sistema nos ahorra mucho esfuerzo.
B2This new system saves us a lot of effort.
💡 Grammar Points
Saving Effort
When using 'ahorrar' with effort or time, it often takes an indirect object pronoun (like 'nos' or 'me') to indicate who benefits from the saving: 'Me ahorra trabajo' (It saves me work).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Efficiency
If you are looking for a verb to describe using less of something (like fuel or battery life), 'ahorrar' is the perfect choice.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
preterite
present
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ahorrar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'ahorrar'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ahorrar' and 'salvar'?
'Ahorrar' means to save money, time, or resources (to conserve or reserve). 'Salvar' means to save a person, an animal, or a life (to rescue). Remember: You 'ahorras dinero' but you 'salvas vidas'.
How do I say 'my savings'?
The noun for 'savings' is 'el ahorro' (singular) or 'los ahorros' (plural) when referring to the accumulated money.