sparen
to save
To not spend money, but set it aside for a later purpose or deposit it into an account.
EXAMPLE
Wir sparen jeden Monat einen Teil unseres Gehalts für den Hauskauf.
We save part of our salary every month for buying a house.
sparen
to save
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Meanings
sparen
to save
To use less of a resource such as energy, water, or time in order not to waste it.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du das Licht ausschaltest, können wir Strom sparen.
If you turn off the light, we can save electricity.
sich etwas sparen
to spare oneself
To refrain from an action or statement because it is considered unnecessary, redundant, or pointless.
EXAMPLE
Die lange Erklärung kannst du dir sparen, ich habe es schon verstanden.
You can spare yourself the long explanation; I've already understood it.
sparen an
to cut back on
To deliberately reduce spending in a particular area, often with a negative connotation.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte nicht an der Qualität der Lebensmittel sparen.
You shouldn't cut back on the quality of food.
Usage tips
False friend
'Sparen' does not mean 'retten' like English 'to save someone'. It only refers to setting aside money or saving resources. To save a person, you use the verb 'retten' (to rescue/save).
EXAMPLE
Ich spare Geld für eine lange Reise.
I'm saving money for a long trip.
Word family
The verb 'sparen' (to save) forms a family with the adjective 'sparsam' (frugal, someone who spends little) and the noun 'die Ersparnisse' (savings, the money saved).
EXAMPLE
Sie ist sehr sparsam und hat schon hohe Ersparnisse.
She is very frugal and already has substantial savings.
Important prepositions
The preposition after 'sparen' (to save) changes the meaning. With 'für' (+ accusative), you name the goal of saving; with 'an' (+ dative), the area in which expenses are being cut.
EXAMPLE
Er spart für ein neues Fahrrad.
He is saving for a new bicycle.
Typical collocations
When it comes to resources, 'sparen' (to save) is very often combined with 'Energie' (energy), 'Strom' (electricity), 'Wasser' (water), or 'Zeit' (time).
EXAMPLE
Durch kürzere Duschzeiten kann man viel Wasser sparen.
By taking shorter showers, you can save a lot of water.
Sentence structure and usage pattern
The expression 'sich etwas sparen' (to spare oneself something) is reflexive. The person is in the dative ('sich'), and the unnecessary thing is in the accusative. It is often used in colloquial speech and can sound slightly rude.
EXAMPLE
Den Kommentar hättest du dir sparen können.
You could have spared yourself that comment.
Compare with
sparen vs ersparen
to spare / save
„Sich etwas sparen“ means consciously refraining from an unnecessary action or remark. „Sich etwas ersparen“ emphasizes not having to experience an effort or unpleasant situation. Use „sparen“ for choosing not to do something yourself and „ersparen“ for avoiding a burden.
sparen
Ich spare mir den Streit und verlasse ruhig den Raum.
I will spare myself the argument and calmly leave the room.
ersparen
Mit der Online-Anmeldung erspare ich mir den Weg zum Amt.
By registering online, I spare myself the trip to the government office.
In real life
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