guardar
/ɡwaɾˈdaɾ/
The English phrase to save is translated into Spanish as guardar.
Guardar is used when you are saving objects, money or digital data. It is the standard verb used in computing contexts, such as when you need to guardar un archivo.
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse guardar with salvar. Use guardar for saving objects, money or files, but use salvar when you are referring to saving a life or rescuing someone from danger.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the phrase guardar plata is used to mean to save money.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡwaɾˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- While guardar means to save or store, the phrase guardar silencio is used to tell someone to be quiet or to keep a secret.
- The verb guardar shares an ancient ancestry with the English word 'ward', which is why both languages use them to describe the act of keeping something under protection or watch.
- In some contexts, guardar is used to describe keeping a fast or abstaining from food, similar to how English uses 'observe' for a religious fast.
Examples in context
- Queremos comprar una casa, pero para eso necesitamos guardar dinero.We want to buy a house, but we need to save money for that.This example shows how to use guardar regarding the need to save money.Tatoeba #1404441 by hayastan, translation #1404511 by marcelostockle
- Quería guardar esto para una ocasión especial.I wanted to save this for a special occasion.This sentence demonstrates using guardar to keep something for a special occasion.Tatoeba #3544896 by Milton, translation #3543579 by Hybrid
- guardar un archivoTo save a fileThis is a common way to express the action to save a file using guardar.
- Deberías ahorrar más dineroYou should save more money
- Es importante economizar para el futuroIt is important to save for the future
- Es importante ahorrar para la jubilaciónIt is important to save for retirement
- La empresa está buscando formas de economizar recursosThe company is looking for ways to save resources
- Voy a guardar plata para comprar un automóvilI'm going to save money to buy a car
- Voy a guardar algo de dinero para emergenciasI'm going to save some money for emergencies
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are tidying up the living room.
- ElenaJavier, ¿dónde quieres guardar estas cajas?Javier, where do you want to save these boxes?
- JavierPuedes guardar todo en el armario.You can save everything in the closet.
- ElenaEstá bien, voy a guardar las cajas ahora.Okay, I am going to save the boxes now.
- JavierGracias, Elena. Así queda todo limpio.Thank you, Elena. That way everything stays clean.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry guardar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guardar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
