节省

• Pinyin: jié shěng
• Hanzi breakdown: 节 = 艹 (grass) + 即 (phonetic) — to restrain, conserve; 省 = 少 (few) + 目 (eye) — to look with less, hence to save

Meaning

To save; to economize. Using less of something, especially money, time, or resources.

Implies being efficient and avoiding waste. Slightly more formal than 省 alone. Common collocations include 节省时间 (save time), 节省开支 (cut expenses), 节省精力 (conserve energy), and 节省资源 (conserve resources). Often used when discussing budgeting, efficiency, and frugality.

Examples

1. 坐地铁可以节省很多时间。 Taking the subway can save a lot of time.
2. 为了节省开支，我们决定自己做饭。 In order to save on expenses, we decided to cook for ourselves.
3. 用这个方法可以节省不少力气。 Using this method can save quite a bit of effort.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, daily life, work efficiency

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 网上购物可以节省时间。(Online shopping can save time.)
• 我们要节省用水。(We should conserve water.)

Don't Say

• 我节省了一个好朋友 (Don't use 节省 for people — it is for resources like money, time, and energy; use 留住 for keeping a friend)

Origin & History

A compound of 节 (to conserve/restrain) and 省 (to save/omit), both characters relating to saving and economizing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal