Breakdown of Quiero ahorrar dinero para que viajemos a México.
México
Mexico
viajar
to travel
a
to
el dinero
money
para
for
querer
to want
que
that / than
ahorrar
to save (money)
Questions & Answers about Quiero ahorrar dinero para que viajemos a México.
Why do we use the subjunctive viajemos here instead of the indicative viajamos?
The phrase para que (so that) is a purpose clause. It always forces the following verb into the subjunctive because it expresses a goal or intention, not a guaranteed reality. Even if you are 100% certain you will go, you must always use the subjunctive after para que.
Could I just use the infinitive and say para viajar instead of para que viajemos?
Not without changing the meaning. If you say Quiero ahorrar dinero para viajar, it means 'I want to save money so that I can travel.' Because the person saving and the person traveling are the same, you drop the que and use the infinitive. In our sentence, 'I' am saving money so that 'we' can travel. When there is a subject change (I vs. we), you must use para que plus the subjunctive.
The English translation uses the word 'save.' Could I use the verb salvar instead of ahorrar?
No, because salvar and ahorrar mean different things. You use ahorrar when saving money, time, or resources for later. You use salvar when rescuing someone or something from danger, like saving a life.
Why do we use the preposition a in a México instead of en México?
The verb viajar (to travel) involves movement toward a destination. In Spanish, you use the preposition a (to) to show motion toward a place. You would use en (in/on) if you were describing an action happening while you were already located there.
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