Inklingo

How to Say "save" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “save” is “guarde” — use this when you are telling someone to keep or store something for future use, like documents or food..

guarde🔊A2

Use this when you are telling someone to keep or store something for future use, like documents or food.

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salva🔊A1

This is the informal command (tú form) for 'save', often used when telling someone to rescue or preserve something, like leftover food.

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grabar🔊A2

Use this when you are saving digital information, like recording a video, audio, or a computer file.

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guardado🔊B1

This refers to the act or result of saving, especially in gaming or computing, like a saved game file or the process of saving.

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salve🔊B1

This is the subjunctive form, used when expressing hope, doubt, or emotion about someone or something saving a situation or person.

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parada🔊B2

This specifically refers to a 'save' made by a goalkeeper in sports, preventing a goal from being scored.

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English → Spanish

guarde

/GWAHR-deh//ˈɡwaɾðe/

verbA2general
Use this when you are telling someone to keep or store something for future use, like documents or food.
A squirrel holding a single acorn and placing it inside a hollow tree trunk for later.

Examples

Por favor, guarde estos documentos en la caja fuerte.

Please, save/keep these documents in the safe.

Guarde silencio, por favor.

Keep quiet, please.

Espero que él guarde mi secreto.

I hope that he keeps my secret.

The 'Polite' Command

Use 'guarde' when you want to tell someone politely (using 'usted') to put something away or save it. It sounds much more respectful than 'guarda'.

Expressing Wishes

This form is used after words like 'quiero que' (I want that) or 'espero que' (I hope that) to talk about what you want someone else to do.

The 'Usted' Mix-up

Mistake: “Saying 'Guarda el dinero' to a boss or stranger.”

Correction: Say 'Guarde el dinero'. 'Guarda' is only for friends and family; 'guarde' is the polite version.

salva

SAHL-vah/ˈsalβa/

verb (Conjugated Form)A1informal
This is the informal command (tú form) for 'save', often used when telling someone to rescue or preserve something, like leftover food.
A colorful illustration of a lifeguard pulling a distressed swimmer to safety on a sandy beach.

Examples

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.

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!)

Confusing Imperative Forms

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

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

grabar

/grah-BAHR//ɡraˈβaɾ/

verbA2general
Use this when you are saving digital information, like recording a video, audio, or a computer file.
A large, simple illustration of a silver vintage studio microphone placed on a stand, suggesting the act of recording sound.

Examples

¿Puedes grabar el partido de fútbol para verlo después?

Can you record the soccer game so we can watch it later?

Estoy grabando un mensaje de voz para mi madre.

I am recording a voice message for my mother.

Asegúrate de grabar todos los cambios en el documento.

Make sure to save all the changes in the document.

Simple Conjugation

Since 'grabar' is a regular '-ar' verb, you can use its endings as a template for hundreds of other common verbs like 'hablar' (to talk) and 'cantar' (to sing).

guardado

/gwar-DAH-doh//gwaɾˈðaðo/

nounB1computing/gaming
This refers to the act or result of saving, especially in gaming or computing, like a saved game file or the process of saving.
A stylized cartoon hand gently placing a bright green floppy disk icon into a small, secure digital vault icon, representing a computer or game save action.

Examples

Asegúrate de hacer un guardado rápido antes de apagar la consola.

Make sure to make a quick save before turning off the console.

Cargué el último guardado y volví al nivel anterior.

I loaded the last save and went back to the previous level.

Verb to Noun Conversion

In Spanish, the past participle of a verb (like 'guardado') can often be used as a masculine noun by putting 'el' in front of it, describing the result or action itself. (e.g., 'El guardado' means 'The action of saving' or 'The saved thing').

salve

/sal-ve//ˈsal.βe/

verbB1general
This is the subjunctive form, used when expressing hope, doubt, or emotion about someone or something saving a situation or person.
A depiction of rescue, showing a strong hand reaching down from a safe ledge to pull a smaller figure up from a lower level, symbolizing saving someone.

Examples

Espero que alguien salve la situación antes de que sea tarde.

I hope that someone saves the situation before it's too late.

¡Salve usted la copia de seguridad ahora mismo!

Save the backup copy right now! (Formal command)

Dudo que él salve el examen sin estudiar.

I doubt that he passes (saves) the exam without studying.

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!).

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'.)

parada

/pah-RAH-dah//paˈɾaða/

nounB2sports
This specifically refers to a 'save' made by a goalkeeper in sports, preventing a goal from being scored.
An illustration of a soccer goalkeeper making a dramatic horizontal dive to save a ball from entering the goal.

Examples

¡Qué parada espectacular! El portero salvó el partido.

What a spectacular save! The goalkeeper saved the match.

Fue una parada con los pies, muy arriesgada.

It was a save with his feet, very risky.

Confusing 'guardar' and 'grabar'

Learners often confuse 'guardar' (to keep, store, save money) with 'grabar' (to record, save digital files). Remember: 'guardar' is for general saving and keeping, while 'grabar' is specifically for recording audio, video, or computer data.

Related Translations

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