salva

saves?3rd person singular present tense (he/she/it),save?2nd person informal imperative (command)

Also:is saving?Present progressive action,protects?Figurative saving

SAHL-vah

/ˈsalβa/

Verb (Conjugated Form)A1regular ar

neutral

A colorful illustration of a lifeguard pulling a distressed swimmer to safety on a sandy beach.

Quick Reference

infinitivesalvar

gerundsalvando

past Participlesalvado

📝 In Action

Mi hermana siempre salva la comida que sobra.

My sister always saves the leftover food.

¡Salva los documentos antes de apagar la computadora!

Save the documents before turning off the computer!

El equipo médico salva vidas a diario.

The medical team saves lives daily.

Word Connections

Synonyms

rescatar (to rescue)
guardar (to keep/save (data))

Antonyms

perder (to lose)
abandonar (to abandon)

Common Collocations

salvar el pellejo – to save one's skin
salva la partida – save the game (video game context)

💡 Grammar Points

Tú Command Form

When giving a direct, informal command to 'tú' (you), use the same form as the 'él/ella/usted' present tense: ¡Salva! (Save!)

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Imperative Forms

Mistake: “Using 'salvas' as a command.”

Correction: The command form is shorter: '¡Salva el trabajo!' (Save the work!)

⭐ Usage Tips

Saving Data vs. Money

Use 'salvar' for saving lives or data (rescuing/keeping safe). Use 'ahorrar' for saving money.

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: salva

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'salva' to refer to a collective sound?

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Word Family

salvar(to save) - Verb

salvación(salvation) - Noun

salvador(savior) - Noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'salva' is the verb or the noun?

Look at the words around it. If it follows 'la' or 'una' (like 'una salva de aplausos'), it's the noun meaning 'burst' or 'salute'. If it's used as an action (like 'él salva' or '¡Salva el documento!'), it's the verb 'to save'.