How do you use "Time is money" in a sentence?

Let's not waste time—time is money. In this business, time is money. He runs the meeting efficiently because time is money.

Time is money

Q: What does "Time is money" mean?

Time is valuable and shouldn't be wasted A capitalist proverb emphasizing that time has monetary value—wasted time equals lost earning potential. Often used to encourage efficiency.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Time is valuable and shouldn't be wasted

时间就是金钱，不应浪费

El tiempo es valioso y no debe desperdiciarse

時は金なり、時間は無駄にすべきではない

시간은 금이다, 시간을 낭비해서는 안 된다

A capitalist proverb emphasizing that time has monetary value—wasted time equals lost earning potential. Often used to encourage efficiency.

一句强调时间具有金钱价值的格言——浪费时间等于失去赚钱的机会。常用来鼓励提高效率。

Un proverbio capitalista que enfatiza que el tiempo tiene valor monetario: el tiempo perdido equivale a ingresos perdidos. Se usa a menudo para fomentar la eficiencia.

時間には金銭的価値があることを強調する資本主義的なことわざ。無駄な時間は稼ぎの機会を失うことに等しい。効率を促すためによく使われる。

시간에는 금전적 가치가 있으며, 낭비된 시간은 수익 기회의 상실과 같다는 자본주의적 격언. 효율성을 강조할 때 자주 사용된다.

Examples

Let's not waste time—time is money.
别浪费时间了——时间就是金钱
No perdamos el tiempo, el tiempo es oro
時間を無駄にするな——時は金なりだ
시간 낭비하지 말자—시간이 곧 돈이다.
In this business, time is money.
在这个行业，时间就是金钱
En este negocio, el tiempo es oro
この業界では、時は金なりだ
이 업계에서는 시간이 곧 돈이다.
He runs the meeting efficiently because time is money.
他高效地主持会议，因为时间就是金钱
Dirige la reunión eficientemente porque el tiempo es oro
彼は時は金なりだから会議を効率的に進める
그는 시간이 곧 돈이라 회의를 효율적으로 진행한다.

Pronunciation

/taɪm ɪz ˈmʌni/

Usage Guide

Context: business, efficiency, capitalism

Tone: businesslike, urgent

✓ Do Say

Time is money
时间就是金钱
El tiempo es oro
時は金なり
시간이 금이다
Remember, time is money
记住，时间就是金钱
Recuerda, el tiempo es oro
忘れるな、時は金なりだ
잊지 마, 시간이 금이야

✗ Don't Say

Very common business phrase
非常常见的商务用语
Frase comercial muy común
非常に一般的なビジネス用語
매우 흔한 비즈니스 표현

Common Mistakes

None—universally understood

Origin & History

Attributed to Benjamin Franklin in his 1748 essay 'Advice to a Young Tradesman.' The concept is that time spent unproductively is money not earned.

Etymology: Popularized by Benjamin Franklin, 1748

First recorded: 1748, Benjamin Franklin

Cultural Context

Era: 18th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Business culture; Capitalist ethos

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Time is moneyRemember, time is money