Learn Dutch: Wij zijn van plan om te sparen.

While gaan (to go) is used to express what you are going to do (for example, Wij gaan sparen means we are going to save), van plan zijn is a specific expression meaning to intend or to be planning to. Both are ways to talk about future actions, but this sentence focuses specifically on having the intention rather than just stating the future action itself.

How exactly does zijn van plan translate to intend?

The expression van plan zijn literally translates to being of plan. In Dutch, you do not use a single verb for intending; instead, you use this set phrase with the verb zijn (to be). Since the subject is wij (we), the verb becomes zijn.

Why do we need om te before sparen?

The phrase van plan zijn is nearly always followed by om te plus the full verb (the infinitive) to explain what you are planning to do. The combination of om te translates nicely to in order to or just to in English. You will see om te used frequently in Dutch to link an intention or goal to an action.

Can I use sparen if I want to say save a life or save a document?