salve
/sal-ve/
save
The verb form salve means 'that he/she saves.' This image depicts the action of rescue.
salve(Verb)
save
?Subjunctive: That I/he/she/it saves
,rescue
?Subjunctive: That I/he/she/it rescues
Save! (formal command)
?Formal command (Imperative)
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Subjunctive Form
You use 'salve' (the subjunctive form) when you express uncertainty, wishes, or emotions about someone else performing the action: 'Espero que él salve...' (I hope that he saves...).
Formal Commands
'Salve' is the polite, formal way to tell someone (usted) to save or rescue something: '¡Salve la foto!' (Save the photo!).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Indicative and Subjunctive
Mistake: "Dudo que él salva el día."
Correction: Dudo que él salve el día. (You need the special subjunctive form after expressions of doubt like 'dudar'.)
As an interjection, salve means 'hail,' used as a formal or traditional greeting.
📝 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!'
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Use 'Salve'
Only use this interjection when quoting historical texts, poetry, or in very specific religious or national hymns. Do not use it for everyday greetings.
Salve is the name of a Marian prayer or hymn, often called the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen).
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Articles
When referring to the prayer, 'salve' is always feminine, so you use 'la Salve' or 'una Salve'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ 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
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.