节约

• 拼音: jié yuē
• 汉字拆解: 节 = 艹 (grass) + 即 (phonetic, simplified), originally meaning bamboo joint, extended to restrain; 约 = 纟(silk) + 勺 (ladle, phonetic), meaning to bind or restrict

含义

To save; to economise; to conserve. To use resources carefully and avoid waste.

Commonly used for saving money, water, electricity, time, and other resources. Carries a positive connotation of being responsible and efficient. Often promoted as a social virtue in China. Similar to 节省, but 节约 emphasises avoiding waste while 节省 emphasises reducing spending.

例句

1. 我们要节约用水，不能浪费。
2. 节约时间的最好办法是提前计划。
3. 妈妈从小教我要节约粮食。

用法指南

语境: everyday, environment, finance, social values

语气: encouraging

正确说法

• 请大家注意节约用电。(Please everyone pay attention to saving electricity.)
• 节约是一种好习惯。(Saving resources is a good habit.)

错误说法

• 你太节约了，不愿意帮助别人。(Don't confuse 节约 with 小气 — 节约 means wisely saving resources, while 小气 means stingy with people. They have very different connotations.)

起源与历史

Compound of 节 (to restrain, a joint/segment) and 约 (to restrict, to economise), both carrying the idea of limiting or restraining, together meaning 'to use sparingly.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal