Nest egg
Meaning: A sum of money saved for the future, especially for retirement.
A 'nest egg' is long-term savings — typically for retirement, a child's education, or a major purchase. It implies careful, disciplined saving over time. 'Building a nest egg' is a core part of the American financial planning vocabulary.
Examples
- They've built a nice nest egg over thirty years of saving. 他们坚持存了30年,攒下了一笔不错的积蓄。Han acumulado unos buenos ahorros tras treinta años guardando dinero.30年間コツコツ貯めて、いい蓄えができたよ。30년간 꾸준히 저축해서 꽤 괜찮은 노후 자금을 마련했어.
- Don't touch your nest egg for impulse purchases. 别为了冲动消费动用你的养老钱。No toques tus ahorros para caprichos impulsivos.衝動買いのために貯金を崩しちゃダメだよ。충동구매하려고 노후 자금을 건드리면 안 돼.
- Starting to invest early helps you build a bigger nest egg. 尽早开始投资能帮你攒下更多积蓄。Empezar a invertir pronto te ayuda a construir un colchón financiero mayor.早くから投資を始めると、より大きな蓄えが作れるよ。일찍 투자를 시작하면 더 큰 노후 자금을 만들 수 있어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: retirement planning, financial advice, family talk
Tone: prudent, aspirational
✓ Do Say
- She's building a nice nest egg.她正在攒一笔不错的积蓄。Está construyendo un buen colchón financiero.彼女はいい蓄えを作りつつあるよ。그녀는 노후 자금을 착실히 모으고 있어.
- Don't raid your nest egg.别动用你的养老金。No te comas los ahorros.老後の資金を崩すなよ。노후 자금을 함부로 꺼내 쓰지 마.
✗ Don't Say
- Accepted in all contexts — used by financial advisors, newspapers, and in everyday conversation在所有场合都适用——理财顾问、报纸和日常对话中都在用Aceptado en todos los contextos — lo usan asesores financieros, periódicos y en la conversación cotidianaあらゆる場面で通じる表現——ファイナンシャルアドバイザー、新聞、日常会話で広く使われる모든 상황에서 쓸 수 있다 — 재정 상담사, 신문, 일상 대화에서 모두 사용됨
Origin & History
From the farming practice of placing a fake egg in a hen's nest to encourage her to lay more. Metaphorically, a nest egg is initial savings that encourage more saving. Used figuratively since the 1600s.
Cultural Context
Era: 1600s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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