A small person is actively pulling themselves out of dark, choppy water onto a bright, sandy shore, using only their arms.

salvarme

sal-VAR-meh

verbB1regular (pronominal/reflexive) ar

to save myself?physical or metaphorical self-rescue,to escape?getting out of a difficult situation

Also:to be rescued?when the self is the object of the rescue,to get out of trouble?avoiding consequences

Quick Reference

gerundsalvándome

infinitivesalvar

past Participlesalvado

📝 In Action

Necesito un plan rápido para salvarme de esta situación.

I need a quick plan to save myself from this situation.

Si no estudio, no podré salvarme en el examen final.

If I don't study, I won't be able to pass/save myself in the final exam.

Solo tuve que mentir un poco para salvarme del castigo.

I only had to lie a little to get myself out of the punishment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

escapar (to escape)
librarse (to free oneself)

Antonyms

perderse (to lose oneself)
rendirse (to give up)

Common Collocations

intentar salvarme – to try to save myself
salvarme de la ruina – to save myself from ruin

Idioms & Expressions

salvarse por la campana – to be saved by the bell (just in time)

💡 Grammar Points

The 'me' is attached to the end

When you use the infinitive (the base form), the pronoun 'me' (myself) is attached directly to the end, forming one word: salvarme. You must keep them together!

Placement with Conjugated Verbs

When you conjugate the verb (like 'I save myself'), the 'me' moves to the beginning and separates: 'Yo me salvo.' (I save myself).

Using the Reflexive Form

Using 'salvarme' implies that I am the one performing the action (saving) and I am also the receiver of that action (myself).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the 'me' movement

Mistake: "Quiero salvarme. (Correct) vs. Me quiero salvar. (Also correct, but learners often forget the 'me' when conjugating.)"

Correction: When you have two verbs, the 'me' can stay attached to the infinitive (salvarme) OR move before the first conjugated verb (me quiero salvar). Choose one, but don't drop the 'me'!

⭐ Usage Tips

Emotional vs. Physical Rescue

'Salvarme' is often used for emotional or career rescue, not just physical danger. Example: 'El proyecto me va a salvar' (The project is going to save me [financially]).

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

yome salvara

él/ella/ustedse salvara

túte salvaras

vosotrosos salvaraís

nosotrosnos salváramos

ellos/ellas/ustedesse salvaran

present

yome salve

él/ella/ustedse salve

túte salves

vosotrosos salvéis

nosotrosnos salvemos

ellos/ellas/ustedesse salven

indicative

imperfect

yome salvaba

él/ella/ustedse salvaba

túte salvabas

vosotrosos salvabais

nosotrosnos salvábamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesse salvaban

present

yome salvo

él/ella/ustedse salva

túte salvas

vosotrosos salváis

nosotrosnos salvamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesse salvan

preterite

yome salvé

él/ella/ustedse salvó

túte salvaste

vosotrosos salvasteis

nosotrosnos salvamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesse salvaron

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: salvarme

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'salvarme' to mean 'to get myself out of trouble'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

salvar(to save (transitive)) - verb

salvación(salvation) - noun

salvador(savior) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'salvarme' one word but 'me salvo' is two words?

'Salvarme' is the infinitive (the base verb) with the pronoun attached, which is the rule when the verb isn't conjugated. 'Me salvo' is the conjugated verb (I save) where the pronoun 'me' must separate and come before the verb.

Is 'salvarme' always about physical danger?

No. While it can mean physical rescue, it is very commonly used metaphorically to mean escaping financial ruin, avoiding a bad grade, or getting out of an embarrassing situation.