salvar
/salˈbaɾ/
The Spanish verb for 'save' (to rescue or help someone survive) is salvar. Wiktionary also lists rescatar.
Meaning: to help someone to survive, or rescue someone (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| salvar | /salˈbaɾ/ |
| rescatar | /reskaˈtaɾ/ |
salvar is used when you are saving a life or a soul. A common expression is salvar la vida, which is the standard way to say 'to save (one's) life'.
Which one should you use?
While salvar refers to saving a life or a soul, rescatar is used more specifically for the physical act of rescuing someone from a dangerous or trapped situation, such as a rescue operation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When salvar has a specific person as its direct object, you must use the personal 'a' before the person's name or pronoun, forming the construction salvar a…
How do you pronounce it?
/salˈbaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use salvar to mean 'to save money' or 'to save a file'. Instead, use ahorrar for money and guardar for files.
Did you know?
- The verb salvar can also mean 'to skip' or 'to bypass' something, such as salvar un párrafo when skipping a paragraph in a text.
- In a casual context, salvar is often used as a slang term meaning to 'bail someone out' or 'save the day' when a friend provides a quick solution to a problem.
- The word rescatar is used not only for people but also for the act of 'buying back' a piece of art or a cultural treasure from a foreign collection.
Examples in context
- Quería salvar a Tom.I wanted to save Tom.This sentence shows how to use the verb when referring to a specific person with salvar.Tatoeba #2102056 by marcelostockle, translation #2011584 by CK
- Podría salvarte la vida.It may save your life.This sentence demonstrates the common expression for saving someone's life.Tatoeba #1640212 by marcelostockle, translation #1640205 by Spamster
- Estoy aquí para salvarte.I'm here to save you.This sentence shows how to use the verb when addressing someone directly.Tatoeba #1121813 by Shishir, translation #1110432 by Scott
- Es importante ahorrar dinero para el futuro.It's important to save money for the future.
- Por favor, ahórreme tiempo y vaya al grano.Please save me some time and get to the point.
- Debemos ahorrar energía para ayudar al medio ambiente.We should save energy to help the environment.
- Por favor, guarde ese documento importante.Please save that important document.
- Este mes quiero ahorrar para comprarnos algo especial.This month, I want to save to buy something special.
- Ahorremos agua y contribuyamos al cuidado del planeta.Let's save water and contribute to the care of the planet.
- ¡Guarda un poco de comida para más tarde!Save some food for later!
- Voy a guardar un poco de dinero para emergencias.I'm going to save some money for emergencies.
- 92 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A rescue worker and a volunteer talk after a mission.
- LucíaHiciste un buen trabajo hoy, Javier.You did a good job today, Javier.
- JavierGracias, Lucía, fue difícil salvar a la víctima.Thanks, Lucía, it was difficult to save the victim.
- LucíaPero lograste salvar su vida.But you managed to save his life.
- JavierEso es lo más importante.That is the most important thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “save” translations and entries salvar, rescatar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
