salvar
/sal-BAR/
to save
One meaning of 'salvar' is to save someone from danger or harm.
salvar(Verb)
to save
?from danger or harm
,to rescue
?from a specific threat
to salvage
?recovering something from a disaster
📝 In Action
El bombero salvó al gato del incendio.
B1The firefighter saved the cat from the fire.
Gracias por salvarme la vida.
B1Thank you for saving my life.
Intentaron salvar los muebles de la inundación.
B2They tried to salvage the furniture from the flood.
💡 Grammar Points
Saving Someone *From* Something
To say you saved someone from something, use the pattern: salvar a alguien de algo. For example, 'Salvé al perro del río' (I saved the dog from the river).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saving Money vs. Saving a Life
Mistake: "Quiero salvar dinero para un coche."
Correction: Quiero *ahorrar* dinero para un coche. Use `salvar` for rescuing from danger, and `ahorrar` for saving money or resources.
⭐ Usage Tips
Dramatic Flair
This meaning of salvar often has a sense of urgency or drama. It's about rescue from a real threat, not just general helping.
When referring to computers or games, 'salvar' means to save a file or progress.
salvar(Verb)
to save
?a computer file, data, or progress in a game
to back up
?making a copy of data
📝 In Action
No olvides salvar el documento antes de cerrar el programa.
A2Don't forget to save the document before closing the program.
¡Rápido, salva la partida!
A2Quick, save the game!
¿Salvaste los cambios que hiciste en la foto?
B1Did you save the changes you made to the photo?
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saving a File vs. Putting Something Away
Mistake: "Voy a salvar mis llaves en el cajón."
Correction: Voy a *guardar* mis llaves en el cajón. While `guardar` can also mean 'to save a file', `salvar` cannot mean 'to put something away for safekeeping'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Interchangeable with `Guardar`
In the context of computers and files, salvar and guardar are often used interchangeably. You'll hear both 'guarda el documento' and 'salva el documento'.
The verb 'salvar' can also mean to overcome a difficulty or obstacle.
salvar(Verb)
to overcome
?an obstacle, a difficulty
,to get past
?a challenge
to clear
?a hurdle or barrier
,to bridge
?a gap or difference
📝 In Action
Tuvo que salvar muchos obstáculos para lograr su sueño.
B2She had to overcome many obstacles to achieve her dream.
El nuevo puente salva el río, conectando las dos ciudades.
C1The new bridge crosses (bridges) the river, connecting the two cities.
Salvando las distancias, nuestros problemas son similares.
C1Bridging the differences (or 'differences aside'), our problems are similar.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Meaning
Think of this as 'saving' yourself from the 'danger' of an obstacle. It's an extension of the main meaning, used for challenges instead of physical threats.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: salvar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'salvar' to mean 'to save a computer file'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between `salvar`, `guardar`, and `ahorrar`?
They can all mean 'to save' in English, but are not interchangeable in Spanish. Use `salvar` to rescue from danger ('salvar una vida') or to save a computer file. Use `guardar` to put something away for safekeeping ('guardar las llaves') or, like `salvar`, to save a file. Use `ahorrar` specifically for saving resources like money, time, or energy ('ahorrar dinero').
Can I use `salvar` for 'saving a seat' for someone?
No, that's a case for `guardar`. You would say, '¿Me guardas el sitio?' (Can you save my seat?). Using `salvar` would sound like the seat is in some kind of danger!