How to Say "to save" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to save” is “guardar” — use 'guardar' when referring to saving digital information like files, data, or game progress on a computer or device..
guardar
/gwar-DAR//ɡwaɾˈðaɾ/
Examples
Tienes que guardar el archivo antes de apagar la computadora.
You have to save the file before turning off the computer.
Guarda este enlace para leerlo más tarde.
Save this link (or bookmark it) to read later.
salvar
/sal-BAR//salˈβaɾ/
Examples
El bombero salvó al gato del incendio.
The firefighter saved the cat from the fire.
Gracias por salvarme la vida.
Thank you for saving my life.
Intentaron salvar los muebles de la inundación.
They tried to salvage the furniture from the flood.
No olvides salvar el documento antes de cerrar el programa.
Don't forget to save the document before closing the program.
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).
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.
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'.
salvar
/sal-BAR//salˈβaɾ/
Examples
No olvides salvar el documento antes de cerrar el programa.
Don't forget to save the document before closing the program.
El bombero salvó al gato del incendio.
The firefighter saved the cat from the fire.
Gracias por salvarme la vida.
Thank you for saving my life.
Intentaron salvar los muebles de la inundación.
They tried to salvage the furniture from the flood.
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).
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.
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'.
parar
/pa-RAR//paˈɾaɾ/
Examples
El portero paró el penalti y salvó al equipo.
The goalkeeper saved the penalty and saved the team.
¡Qué buena parada! Nadie esperaba que parara ese balón.
What a great save! Nobody expected him to save that ball.
rescatar
/re-ska-TAR//reskaˈtaɾ/
Examples
Los bomberos lograron rescatar al niño del edificio.
The firefighters managed to rescue the boy from the building.
Necesitamos rescatar a los excursionistas que se perdieron.
We need to rescue the hikers who got lost.
Using the 'Personal A'
Since you are usually rescuing a person or a pet, you must use 'a' before them. Example: 'Rescatar a María' (Rescue Maria).
Rescatar vs. Salvar
Mistake: “Using 'rescatar' for saving a file on a computer.”
Correction: Use 'guardar' for files. 'Rescatar' implies pulling someone out of a dangerous physical place.
Guardar vs. Salvar for digital files
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.