积蓄

• Pinyin: jī xù
• Hanzi breakdown: 积 = 禾 + 只 (grain accumulation); 蓄 = 艹 + 畜 (plant/grass + livestock, to store)

Meaning

To save up over time; financial savings or reserves accumulated through frugality and effort. Refers to both the act of saving and the savings themselves.

Commonly used for personal or household financial savings. Implies deliberate, disciplined accumulation over time. Also used figuratively for storing up strength, energy, or resources before a decisive action.

Examples

1. 他用二十年的积蓄在家乡购置了一套小院，终于圆了安居的梦想。 He used twenty years of savings to buy a small courtyard home in his hometown, finally realizing his dream of settling down.
2. 年轻时应当注重积蓄，为将来的生活打下坚实的经济基础。 When you’re young, you should focus on saving so you can build a solid financial foundation for the future.
3. 经历了这次金融危机，她深刻意识到提前积蓄的重要性与必要性。 After this financial crisis, she deeply realized how important—and necessary—it is to save ahead of time.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, personal life, planning

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他多年积蓄全部用于资助贫困山区的孩子完成学业，精神令人深受感动。(He used all his savings accumulated over many years to sponsor children in impoverished mountain areas to complete their education, a spirit that is deeply moving.)
• 公司在业绩良好时应积极积蓄资金，以备经济下行时的不时之需。(Companies should actively build up financial reserves when performance is good to prepare for unexpected needs during economic downturns.)

Don't Say

• 我要积蓄更多的经验 — 积蓄 is primarily for material or financial reserves; use 积累 for experience, skills, or abstract assets

Origin & History

积 (accumulate) + 蓄 (store/keep)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal