Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| sauver | /so.ve/ |
| délivrer | /de.li.vʁe/ |
The verb is used to describe saving someone or something from danger or violence. Related nouns for the act of rescuing include sauvetage, secours and rescousse. You may also encounter the idiomatic phrase à la rescousse, which means "to the rescue" when someone arrives to help.
Which one should you use?
While sauver is the most common verb for "to rescue" or "to save" in general contexts, délivrer is a more formal option used specifically when the rescue involves liberation from captivity or a heavy burden. Regarding nouns, sauvetage refers to the technical or physical act of a rescue operation, such as a sea rescue, while secours refers more broadly to the assistance or the act of providing help during an emergency.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Sauver is a regular -er verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/so.ve/
When do people say it?
The phrase à la rescousse is used specifically in the context of someone coming to the rescue of another.
Did you know?
- The French word délivrer is a linguistic double. It describes both the act of rescuing someone from captivity and the act of delivering a package or letter.
- The word sauver in North American French has been influenced by the English word 'save', expanding its meaning beyond just physical rescue to include things like saving a computer file.
- In French, secours refers to the act of helping or the resources provided during an emergency, and is why a first aid kit is called a trousse de secours.
Examples in context
- On doit la sauver.We've got to rescue her.This sentence is useful for practicing the rescue of a female subject with sauver.Tatoeba #8682494 by Julien_PDC, translation #3910792 by CH
- On doit le sauver.We've got to rescue him.This sentence is useful for practicing the rescue of a male subject with sauver.Tatoeba #8682496 by Julien_PDC, translation #3910791 by CH
- On doit les sauver.We've got to rescue them.This sentence is useful for practicing the rescue of multiple subjects with sauver.Tatoeba #8682495 by Julien_PDC, translation #3910790 by CH
- Les sauveteurs sont arrivés rapidement pour effectuer le sauvetage en mer.The rescuers arrived quickly to perform the rescue at sea.
- Les pompiers sont intervenus et ont apporté les premiers secours aux victimes.The firefighters intervened and provided first aid to the victims.
- Nous avons réussi à sauver le chat coincé dans l'arbre grâce à une échelle.We managed to rescue the cat stuck in the tree thanks to a ladder.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are watching a news report about a forest fire.
- HugoIls essaient de sauver les animaux.They are trying to save the animals.
- LéaJ'espère qu'ils vont réussir à les sauver.I hope they will succeed in saving them.
- HugoC'est une mission très difficile.It is a very difficult mission.
- LéaOui, mais il faut les sauver.Yes, but they must be saved.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rescue” translations and entries sauver, délivrer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries délivrer, sauver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
