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"Salvar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to save", and "ahorrar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to save". Learn more about the difference between "salvar" and "ahorrar" below.
salvar(
sahl
-
bahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to rescue)
a. to save
El bombero logró salvar a varios niños atrapados entre los escombros.The firefighter managed to save several children who'd been trapped among the rubble.
2. (to conquer)
a. to overcome
Ha conseguido salvar todos los obstáculos que ha encontrado en la vida.He has managed to overcome all the obstacles he's encountered in his life.
a. to cover
Este avión salva miles de millas en unas pocas horas.This plane covers thousands of miles in just a few hours.
b. to go across
No podrás salvar las montañas sin un mapa.You won't be able to go across the mountains without a map.
4. (religious)
a. to save
Los cristianos creen que Jesús murió en la cruz para salvarnos de nuestros pecados.Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins.
a. to pass
El estudiante salvó el examen con buena nota.The student passed the exam with a good grade.
6. (computing)
a. to save
Salva los documentos antes de cerrar el programa.Save the documents before closing the program.
a. aside
Salvando las diferencias, su estilo se parece al de Dalí.Differences aside, his style is similar to Dali's.
b. except for
Salvando los que no comen carne, todos dijeron que era la mejor barbacoa que habían probado en la vida.Except for those who don't eat meat, everyone said it was the best barbecue they'd ever had.
salvarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
b. to survive
Medio millón de personas se salvaron de la masacre.Half a million people survived the massacre.
9. (legal)
a. to be declared innocent
Los tres acusados se salvaron a pesar de las evidencias en su contra.The three defendants were declared innocent in spite of the evidence against them.
b. to get off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
El acusado se salvó porque tenía un abogado buenísimo.The defendant got off because he had a great lawyer.
10. (religious)
a. to be saved
"Confiesa tus pecados y tu alma se salvará", dijo el cura."Confess your sins and your soul will be saved," said the priest.
11. (except for)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Los considero a todos unos vagos; no se salva nadie.I consider them all lazy, without exception.
La peli era malísima; solo se salvaba el actor principal.The film was really bad; the main actor was the only one who was ok.
ahorrar(
ah
-
oh
-
rrahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (finances)
b. to save up
Si quieres comprarlo tendrás que ahorrar.If you want to buy it, you'll have to save up.
ahorrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to evade)
a. to avoid
Comamos en platos plástico, así nos ahorramos la limpieza.Let's eat on plastic plates, that way we won't have to clean up.
a. to save
Mi mamá es tan regateadora que siempre se ahorra un montón en el mercado.My mom is such a haggler that she always saves a ton at the market.
