salvare

Salvare is an Italian verb of the first conjugation (-are) with several related senses. It commonly means to save or rescue someone from danger, to preserve or protect something, and in computing to store or back up data. The nuance depends on context: saving a life, saving a document, or saving an object from harm. The verb can also imply safeguarding or ensuring the continued existence of a state or value, as in preserving an ecosystem or salvaguarding a tradition.

Etymology and cognates: Salvare derives from Latin salvare, from salvus meaning safe or healthy. It has cognates in other Romance languages with similar meanings, such as Spanish salvar, Portuguese salvar, and French sauver. While they share a common root, their usage and idioms differ slightly in each language.

Usage and grammar: In Italian, salvar refers to actions of protection or retention. Common forms include io salvo, tu salvi, lui to save, noi salviamo, voi salvate, loro salvano. The past tense is formed with avere and the participle salvato (ho salvato, hai salvato, ha salvato, etc.). The noun form is salvataggio, used for both rescue operations and data saving, as in “un salvataggio” or “il salvataggio dei dati.”

Examples: “Devo salvare il file sul computer” (I must save the file on the computer); “ha salvato una vita” (he saved a life); “le misure servono a salvare l’ecosistema” (the measures aim to safeguard the ecosystem). In religious or moral contexts, salvare can mean to save souls or to achieve salvation.

See also: related terms include salvaguardare (to safeguard) and salvataggio (saving, rescue, data backup).