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guardar

gwar-DAR/ɡwaɾˈðaɾ/

to put away, to store

Also: to keep
VerbA1regular ar
A small child putting a colorful wooden block into a large, open toy chest, illustrating the action of storing an object.
infinitiveguardar
gerundguardando
past Participleguardado

📝 In Action

Ella siempre guarda las llaves en el mismo cajón.

A1

She always keeps the keys in the same drawer (puts them away).

¿Dónde guardaste la aspiradora?

A2

Where did you store the vacuum cleaner?

Guarda el cambio, lo necesitarás más tarde.

A1

Keep the change, you will need it later.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • guardar en el armario – to put in the closet
  • guardar la ropa – to put away the clothes

to save

Also: to bookmark
VerbA2regular ar
A cartoon hand gently placing a stylized, light blue floppy disk icon into a secure, stylized yellow digital storage folder.
infinitiveguardar
gerundguardando
past Participleguardado

📝 In Action

Tienes que guardar el archivo antes de apagar la computadora.

A2

You have to save the file before turning off the computer.

Guarda este enlace para leerlo más tarde.

B1

Save this link (or bookmark it) to read later.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • salvar (to save (in computing, less common))

Common Collocations

  • guardar como – save as
  • guardar cambios – save changes

to keep, to observe

Also: to hold
VerbB1regular ar
A person with a gentle expression carefully holding a small, locked treasure box close to their chest, symbolizing keeping a promise or secret.
infinitiveguardar
gerundguardando
past Participleguardado

📝 In Action

Te prometo que voy a guardar tu secreto.

B1

I promise you that I am going to keep your secret.

Debes guardar silencio en la biblioteca.

B2

You must observe (keep) silence in the library.

El equipo guardó un minuto de silencio en honor al fallecido.

B2

The team held a minute of silence in honor of the deceased.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • guardar luto – to mourn/observe mourning
  • guardar rencor – to hold a grudge

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedguarda
yoguardo
túguardas
ellos/ellas/ustedesguardan
nosotrosguardamos
vosotrosguardáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedguardaba
yoguardaba
túguardabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesguardaban
nosotrosguardábamos
vosotrosguardabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedguardó
yoguardé
túguardaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesguardaron
nosotrosguardamos
vosotrosguardasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedguarde
yoguarde
túguardes
ellos/ellas/ustedesguarden
nosotrosguardemos
vosotrosguardéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedguardara
yoguardara
túguardaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesguardaran
nosotrosguardáramos
vosotrosguardarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: guardar

Question 1 of 2

Which English verb is NOT a primary translation for 'guardar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
la guarda(the guard/custody (f)) — Noun
el guardián(the guardian (m)) — Noun
el guardarropa(the wardrobe/coat check (m)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Germanic language family, specifically from the Gothic *wardôn*, meaning 'to watch' or 'to protect.' It entered Spanish via Vulgar Latin, keeping its core meaning of keeping something safe or protected.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: guardFrench: garderPortuguese: guardar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'guardar' reflexive? (Can I use 'guardarse'?)

Yes, 'guardarse' is used, usually to mean 'to keep something for oneself' or 'to reserve something.' For example, 'Guárdate las críticas' (Keep the criticisms to yourself).

How is 'guardar' different from 'mantener'?

'Guardar' usually implies putting something away for safekeeping or initiating the act of keeping (like putting keys in a drawer). 'Mantener' means to maintain a state or condition, like 'mantener la calma' (to keep calm).