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Quiero guardar el documento en el ordenador.

Quiero guardar el documento en el ordenador.
I want to save the document on the computer.
FromLesson 16inHardcore Spanish (Spain)

Breakdown of Quiero guardar el documento en el ordenador.

yo
I
querer
to want
en
on
el ordenador
the computer
el documento
the document
guardar
to save

Questions & Answers about Quiero guardar el documento en el ordenador.

Why is it en for “on the computer,” not a or sobre?

In Spanish, en often covers English “in,” “on,” and “at.” You use en to indicate location or storage: guardar algo en el ordenador.

  • a expresses direction/arrival (motion), so not here.
  • sobre literally means “on top of,” which would be odd for digital storage.
Is Quiero too direct? How can I make it more polite?

Quiero is fine in many contexts, but it can sound very direct. Softer options:

  • Me gustaría guardar… (I’d like to…)
  • Querría/Quisiera guardar… (I would like to…) — a bit more formal/polite, common in Spain in service contexts.
What’s the difference between guardar, grabar, salvar, and archivar?
  • guardar: the standard in Spain for “to save a file.” You’ll see Guardar / Guardar como… in menus.
  • grabar: in Spain, mainly “to record” audio/video or “to burn” a disc. In parts of Latin America, people also say it for saving files.
  • salvar: used in computing too (especially in Latin America and also seen in Spain), but outside tech it means “to rescue.”
  • archivar: to file/put away (physically or organizationally), not the usual “save a file.”
    If you’re aiming for Spain usage, stick with guardar for file saving.
How do I say “I want to save it” with a pronoun?

Use the direct object pronoun lo for documento (masculine, inanimate):

  • Before the conjugated verb: Lo quiero guardar en el ordenador.
  • Attached to the infinitive: Quiero guardarlo en el ordenador.
    Both are correct. Don’t write guardar lo (it must be a single word: guardarlo). Avoid le here; for things it’s lo.
Why el documento and not un documento or mi documento?
  • el documento = a specific, known document (the one we’re talking about).
  • un documento = any document, non-specific.
  • mi documento = explicitly “my document.”
    Choose the article/pronoun based on how specific/possessive you want to be.
Can I change the word order?

Yes, within reason. Natural options include:

  • Quiero guardar el documento en el ordenador. (neutral)
  • Lo quiero guardar en el ordenador. / Quiero guardarlo en el ordenador. (with pronoun)
    Fronting the place for emphasis is possible but less common: En el ordenador quiero guardar el documento.
    Avoid awkward splits like Quiero en el ordenador guardar el documento.
Why el ordenador in Spain? What about computadora or computador?

In Spain, the normal word is ordenador (masculine: el ordenador).
In Latin America you’ll hear la computadora (feminine) or el computador. Spaniards will understand computadora, but it sounds Latin American.

Is the gender correct? Why el and not la?

Both ordenador and documento are masculine: el ordenador, el documento.
Note the regional contrast: la computadora (feminine, common in Latin America), but in Spain it’s el ordenador.

Pronunciation tips?
  • Quiero: [KYE-ro], the qu
    • ie sounds like “kye.”
  • guardar: [gwar-DAR]; the gua is “gwa.”
  • documento: stress on men → do-cu-MEN-to.
  • ordenador: stress on last syllable → or-de-na-DOR; the final r is a tap [ɾ].
  • Intervocalic d (as in ordenador) is soft, like the English “th” in “this.”
How do I make it negative or a question?
  • Negative: No quiero guardar el documento en el ordenador.
  • With pronoun: No lo quiero guardar… / No quiero guardarlo…
  • Yes/no question: ¿Quieres guardar el documento en el ordenador?
    Just add no before the conjugated verb; question marks wrap the sentence.
How do I tell someone else to do it (imperatives)?
  • Tú (informal): Guarda el documento en el ordenador.
  • Usted (formal): Guarde el documento en el ordenador.
  • With pronoun (tú): Guárdalo en el ordenador. Note the accent when attaching -lo.
  • Negative tú: No lo guardes en el ordenador.
What’s the difference between Quiero guardar… and Voy a guardar…?
  • Quiero guardar… = I want/intend to save… (expresses desire or intention).
  • Voy a guardar… = I’m going to save… (near-future plan).
    Both are common; choose based on nuance.
Should I say en el ordenador or en mi ordenador?

Both are possible.

  • en el ordenador can mean “on the (this/that) computer” we’re using or referring to.
  • en mi ordenador makes the ownership explicit.
    Use mi if you need to disambiguate.
Can I say archivo or fichero instead of documento?

Yes, but note the nuance:

  • documento: specifically a document (text, PDF, etc.).
  • archivo: any file (generic).
  • fichero: also “file,” common in Spain in computing contexts.
    So Quiero guardar el archivo… is fine if you mean “the file” in general.
Why not al ordenador?

al = a + el, used with motion toward a target (e.g., enviar algo al ordenador = send something to the computer).
For storage/location, you use en: guardar en el ordenador.

If I want someone else to save it, how do I use que and the subjunctive?

When the subject changes, use que + subjunctive:

  • Quiero que (tú) guardes el documento en el ordenador.
    Here guardes is subjunctive because you’re expressing a wish about another person’s action.
Do I need to say yo? Is Yo quiero… better?

The subject pronoun is optional in Spanish. Quiero guardar… is the default.
Use Yo quiero… for emphasis or contrast (e.g., “I (as opposed to others) want to…”).

Any other useful words for places to save?

Common terms in Spain:

  • carpeta (folder)
  • escritorio (desktop)
  • unidad USB / memoria USB / pendrive
  • nube (cloud)
    Examples: Quiero guardar el documento en la carpeta Descargas. / en la nube.
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