倹約する

• Reading: けんやくする
• Romaji: kenyaku suru
• Kanji breakdown: 倹 (ken) — frugal, thrifty; 約 (yaku) — promise, economise
• Pronunciation: /keɴ.ja.kɯ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To economise; to be frugal; to tighten one's belt. Deliberately spending less and saving money.

A する verb describing the conscious practice of living frugally and avoiding unnecessary spending. Carries a positive connotation of virtue and self-discipline, unlike ケチ (stingy/cheap) which is negative. Common phrases: 倹約家 (a frugal person), 倹約生活 (frugal lifestyle). Related to but distinct from 節約する (to save/conserve resources in general).

Examples

1. 来年の旅行のために倹約する生活を始めた。 I started living frugally to save up for next year's trip.
2. 祖母は若い頃からずっと倹約してきた人だ。 My grandmother has always been a frugal person since she was young.
3. 無駄遣いをやめて少しは倹約するべきだよ。 You should stop wasting money and be a little more frugal.

Usage Guide

Context: personal finance, daily life, lifestyle

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 倹 (frugal, thrifty) + 約 (promise, economise, approximately). The character 倹 contains the person radical 亻, suggesting a personal virtue of thrift.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal