salve
“salve” means “save” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
save, rescue
Also: Save! (formal command)
📝 In Action
Espero que alguien salve la situación antes de que sea tarde.
B1I hope that someone saves the situation before it's too late.
¡Salve usted la copia de seguridad ahora mismo!
B2Save the backup copy right now! (Formal command)
Dudo que él salve el examen sin estudiar.
B2I doubt that he passes (saves) the exam without studying.
hail
Also: greetings
📝 In Action
¡Salve, oh patria, mil veces salve!
C1Hail, oh homeland, a thousand times hail!
El coro gritó: «¡Salve, emperador!»
C1The chorus shouted: 'Hail, emperor!'
the Salve
Also: Salva Regina
📝 In Action
Al final de la misa, cantaron la Salve.
B2At the end of the mass, they sang the Salve.
La Salve es una oración muy antigua dedicada a la Virgen María.
B2The Salve is a very old prayer dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: salve
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'salve' is used in the sentence: 'Pido que usted salve la vida de ese animal.'
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *salvē*, which meant 'be well' or 'be in good health.' This was originally used as a greeting (hence the interjection meaning). The Spanish verb 'salvar' (to save) also shares this root, connecting the ideas of health, safety, and rescue.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'salve' have two different parts of speech (verb and interjection)?
The word 'salve' comes from the Latin word for 'be well.' In Spanish, this root split: it became the verb 'salvar' (to save), and 'salve' is a conjugated form of that verb. Separately, 'salve' was kept as an interjection (a fixed greeting) directly from the old Latin usage.
Is 'salve' used as a greeting today?
No, not usually. As a greeting, 'salve' is very formal, historical, or literary. You should use 'hola' or 'buenas tardes' for everyday conversation.