rescatar
verbUpper-intermediate
What does “rescatar” mean in English?
to rescue
to rescue (rescatar a alguien de — physically rescue from danger; also: bail out a company)
Example sentences
Los equipos de emergencia rescataron a veinte personas atrapadas bajo los escombros del edificio.
Emergency teams rescued twenty people trapped under the rubble of the building.
El banco central tuvo que rescatar a varias entidades financieras para evitar el colapso sistémico.
The central bank had to bail out several financial institutions to prevent systemic collapse.
How to use it
Rescatar means 'to rescue'. Structure: rescatar a alguien (de algo). Also figurative: rescatar una empresa (bail out a company); rescatar del olvido (rescue from oblivion). Common in emergency, economic, and cultural registers. More dramatic in register than salvar.
Common mistake
Rescatar (rescue — implies danger and active intervention) vs. salvar (save — wider use, including from moral danger) vs. liberar (free — from captivity). In financial contexts, rescatar is the standard term for 'bail out'.
Topics
Related Upper-intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Funciones 6.68.