sauver
/so.ve/
The French phrase for "to save" is sauver.
sauver is used specifically when you are rescuing someone or something from a dangerous or harmful situation.
Which one should you use?
While sauver means to rescue lives or things from danger, you should use économiser when you want to express the idea of saving money, time or resources.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of sauver is sauvé. Additionally, the noun for a person who performs the act of saving is sauveur.
How do you pronounce it?
/so.ve/
Did you know?
- The French word salut, which is a common way to say 'hi', comes from the same root as sauver and originally meant 'salvation'.
- In Quebec and other North American French regions, sauver is often used to mean 'to save money', which is a direct influence from the English 'save'. In France, using sauver this way would sound like you are rescuing your coins from a disaster.
- The English word 'salve', used for a healing ointment, comes from the same root as sauver because the ointment was meant to 'save' or heal the skin.
Examples in context
- On doit la sauver.We've got to save her.This sentence shows how to use sauver when referring to a female object.Tatoeba #8682494 by Julien_PDC, translation #3910703 by CH
- On doit le sauver.We have to save him.This sentence shows how to use sauver when referring to a male object.Tatoeba #8682496 by Julien_PDC, translation #3910699 by CH
- Il faut sauver Tom.We have to save Tom.This sentence shows how to use sauver with a proper noun.Tatoeba #8026382 by marioo, translation #1893809 by CK
- Il est important d'économiser pour l'avenirIt's important to save for the future
- Je mets de côté une partie de mon salaire chaque moisI save a portion of my salary each month
- Il est de notre devoir de préserver notre patrimoine culturelIt is our duty to save/protect our cultural heritage
- Je vais mettre les restes dans le réfrigérateur pour les conserverI will put the leftovers in the fridge to save/keep them
- J'essaie d'épargner pour mes vacancesI'm trying to save money for my vacation
- Je mets de l'argent de côté pour mes projets futursI'm putting money aside for my future plans
- J'essaie de faire des économies en limitant mes dépensesI'm trying to save money by cutting down on my expenses
- J'économise une partie de mon salaire chaque mois pour acheter une maisonI save a portion of my salary each month to buy a house
- Nous devons préserver l'environnement pour les générations futuresWe must save/protect the environment for future generations
- Mon frère épargne pour son voyage autour du mondeMy brother is saving money for his trip around the world
- Elle met de côté pour sa retraite depuis plusieurs annéesShe has been saving up for her retirement for several years
- 65 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon see a cat stuck in a tall tree.
- NathanRegarde le chat ! On doit sauver ce petit.Look at the cat! We have to save this little one.
- ManonOui, il a peur. Comment sauver le chat ?Yes, he is scared. How do we save the cat?
- NathanJe vais chercher une échelle pour le sauver.I'm going to get a ladder to save him.
- ManonDépêche-toi, Nathan !Hurry up, Nathan!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sauver, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sauver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
