Spanish Conversation · Level 11
90 words
Spanish word
preservar
Pronunciation
IPA/pɾeseɾˈβaɾ/
Meaning
- verbprotect
Example
Es importante preservar la naturaleza.
It is important to protect nature.
More examples
La comunidad trabaja para preservar las tradiciones locales.
The community works to preserve the local traditions.
Core concept
Active measures taken to keep an object or resource safe from deterioration or loss.
Common phrases
preservar el medio ambiente
protect the environment
preservar la paz
keep the peace
preservar la memoria cultural
preserve the cultural memory
Similar words
conservar: Keeps food or perishables in good condition using methods like salting or refrigeration.
proteger: Guards a person or thing against danger or harm through direct defense or prevention.
mantener: Performs upkeep or adjustments to maintain an object's or system's current condition.
cuidar: Provides attentive care to a person's health or to an item's condition to keep it well.
Definition in Spanish
Mantener algo a salvo del deterioro o de la pérdida mediante medidas activas de protección.
Word origin
Derived from Latin praeservare (prae- "before" + servare "to keep"), conveying the idea of guarding something ahead of harm and thus deliberate protection.
Usage tips
- Preservar denotes deliberate long-term safeguarding; conservar often means keeping condition (often food), guardar means storing, preservativo means condom and preservante means preservative.
Other meanings
- preserveverb
Opposites
- destruirdestroyverb
- deteriorardeteriorateverb
Related words
- preservaciónpreservationnoun
- preservantepreservativenoun
- preservadopreservedadjective