====== bǎocún: 保存 - to save, to preserve, to keep ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** baocun, 保存, how to say save in Chinese, preserve in Chinese, save a file in Chinese, keep something safe Chinese, bǎocún meaning, Chinese for preserve, save data Chinese, store food Chinese.
  * **Summary:** The Chinese verb **保存 (bǎocún)** is a fundamental term that means "to save," "to preserve," or "to keep." Its usage spans from the digital world, like saving a document on your computer, to the physical world, such as preserving food or ancient artifacts. Understanding **保存** is essential for daily tasks and grasping the Chinese concept of maintaining things of value, whether it's data, historical relics, or even memories.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bǎo cún
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To keep something from being damaged, lost, or changed; to save or preserve.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **保存 (bǎocún)** as the action of protecting something to maintain its current state. It's the button you click to "save" your work, the process used to "preserve" food in a jar, and the effort taken to "keep" an old building from falling apart. The core idea is maintaining integrity and preventing loss or decay.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **保 (bǎo):** This character is composed of the "person" radical (亻) and a component that originally depicted protecting a child. Its core meaning is "to protect," "to guard," or "to keep safe."
  * **存 (cún):** This character relates to existence and storage. Its primary meanings are "to exist," "to be present," or "to store."
  * The two characters combine beautifully: **保 (to protect) + 存 (to exist/store) = 保存 (to protect something so that it continues to exist in its current state).** This fusion perfectly captures the meaning of "to save" or "to preserve."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While **保存 (bǎocún)** is a highly practical and modern word, it taps into a deep-seated cultural value in China: the importance of preservation. This extends far beyond saving a computer file.
Chinese culture places immense value on its long history. The act of **保存** is seen in the meticulous restoration of ancient temples, the safeguarding of dynastic records, and the passing down of traditions. This isn't just about keeping old things; it's about maintaining a connection to the past and ensuring its continuity for future generations.
In a Western context, we use different words for different types of "saving." We "save" a document, "preserve" food, "conserve" energy, and "keep" a souvenir. In Chinese, **保存 (bǎocún)** is a versatile workhorse that can cover many of these contexts. This reflects a holistic view where the act of maintaining something valuable—whether it's digital data, a cultural artifact, or a jar of pickled vegetables—is fundamentally the same concept.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**保存 (bǎocún)** is an everyday word with several key contexts. It is generally neutral to formal.
=== 1. The Digital World (Most Common) ===
This is the most frequent use you'll encounter. Any time you interact with software, apps, or games, you will see **保存**.
  * **保存文件 (bǎocún wénjiàn):** To save a file/document.
  * **保存更改 (bǎocún gēnggǎi):** To save changes.
  * **点击保存 (diǎnjī bǎocún):** Click "save."
  * **自动保存 (zìdòng bǎocún):** Autosave.
=== 2. The Physical World ===
This refers to preserving tangible items, from food to historical evidence.
  * **保存食物 (bǎocún shíwù):** To preserve food (e.g., by freezing, canning).
  * **保存证据 (bǎocún zhèngjù):** To preserve evidence.
  * **这个寺庙保存得很好。(Zhège sìmiào bǎocún de hěn hǎo.):** This temple is very well-preserved.
=== 3. The Abstract World ===
**保存** can also be used for intangible things, like one's strength or memories.
  * **保存实力 (bǎocún shílì):** To conserve/preserve one's strength (often in a competition, holding back for a later stage).
  * **保存记忆 (bǎocún jìyì):** To preserve a memory.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 写完报告以后，别忘了**保存**文件。
    * Pinyin: Xiě wán bàogào yǐhòu, bié wàngle **bǎocún** wénjiàn.
    * English: After you finish writing the report, don't forget to save the file.
    * Analysis: This is the most common digital usage. **保存** is paired directly with **文件 (wénjiàn)**, meaning "file."
  * **Example 2:**
    * 为了冬天有菜吃，奶奶把很多蔬菜**保存**了起来。
    * Pinyin: Wèile dōngtiān yǒu cài chī, nǎinai bǎ hěnduō shūcài **bǎocún** le qǐlái.
    * English: In order to have vegetables to eat in the winter, Grandma preserved a lot of vegetables.
    * Analysis: This shows the physical usage of preserving food. The structure `把...保存起来 (bǎ...bǎocún qǐlái)` is common, indicating the action of storing something away.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这座古城**保存**得非常完好。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔchéng **bǎocún** de fēicháng wánhǎo.
    * English: This ancient city is preserved extremely well.
    * Analysis: Here, **保存** is used to describe the state of a historical site. The particle `得 (de)` is used to connect the verb to a description of how well the action was done (`完好 wánhǎo` - intact, in good condition).
  * **Example 4:**
    * 请**保存**好您的购物小票，方便退换。
    * Pinyin: Qǐng **bǎocún** hǎo nín de gòuwù xiǎopiào, fāngbiàn tuìhuàn.
    * English: Please keep your shopping receipt safe, it will be convenient for returns or exchanges.
    * Analysis: This is a common phrase in retail. **保存好 (bǎocún hǎo)** emphasizes not just keeping something, but keeping it properly and safely.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 我想把这个电话号码**保存**到我的手机里。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng bǎ zhège diànhuà hàomǎ **bǎocún** dào wǒ de shǒujī lǐ.
    * English: I want to save this phone number into my phone.
    * Analysis: Another digital example, showing how it's used for saving data like contacts.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 在决赛前，运动员需要**保存**体力。
    * Pinyin: Zài juésài qián, yùndòngyuán xūyào **bǎocún** tǐlì.
    * English: Before the final match, athletes need to conserve their physical strength.
    * Analysis: This is an abstract usage. You can't physically "store" strength, but you can preserve it by not overexerting yourself. **体力 (tǐlì)** means physical strength.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 博物馆的责任是**保存**和展示历史文物。
    * Pinyin: Bówùguǎn de zérèn shì **bǎocún** hé zhǎnshì lìshǐ wénwù.
    * English: The responsibility of a museum is to preserve and display historical artifacts.
    * Analysis: This example uses **保存** in a formal, institutional context regarding cultural heritage.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 你的游戏进度已经自动**保存**了。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ de yóuxì jìndù yǐjīng zìdòng **bǎocún** le.
    * English: Your game progress has been autosaved.
    * Analysis: A very modern and practical example related to gaming and software. **自动 (zìdòng)** means "automatic."
  * **Example 9:**
    * 科学家们正在努力**保存**濒危物种的基因。
    * Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài nǔlì **bǎocún** bīnwēi wùzhǒng de jīyīn.
    * English: Scientists are working hard to preserve the genes of endangered species.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates a scientific context, referring to preservation at a genetic level.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 这张老照片**保存**了我童年的美好回忆。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zhāng lǎo zhàopiàn **bǎocún** le wǒ tóngnián de měihǎo huíyì.
    * English: This old photograph preserves the beautiful memories of my childhood.
    * Analysis: A beautiful, abstract example. The photo acts as a vessel that "keeps" or "preserves" intangible memories.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
English speakers often misuse **保存 (bǎocún)** by applying the English word "save" too broadly. Here are the most critical distinctions:
  *   **Mistake 1: "Saving" a person.**
    *   Do NOT use **保存** to mean "rescue." For saving someone from danger, you must use [[救]] (jiù) or [[拯救]] (zhěngjiù).
    *   **Incorrect:** 消防员**保存**了那个孩子。(Xiāofáng yuán **bǎocún** le nàge háizi.)
    *   **Correct:** 消防员**救**了那个孩子。(Xiāofáng yuán **jiù** le nàge háizi.) - The firefighter saved the child.
  *   **Mistake 2: "Saving" money.**
    *   **保存** has nothing to do with money. To "save money" by spending less is [[省钱]] (shěng qián). To "save money" by depositing it in a bank is [[存钱]] (cún qián). Notice the shared character **存 (cún)**, but the meaning is different.
    *   **Incorrect:** 我每个月**保存**一百块钱。(Wǒ měi gè yuè **bǎocún** yībǎi kuài qián.)
    *   **Correct:** 我每个月**存**一百块钱。(Wǒ měi gè yuè **cún** yībǎi kuài qián.) - I save/deposit 100 yuan every month.
  *   **Mistake 3: "Saving" a seat or food for someone.**
    *   When you "keep" or "save" something for someone for temporary, near-future use, the word is [[保留]] (bǎoliú) or, more colloquially, [[留]] (liú). **保存** implies longer-term preservation.
    *   **Incorrect:** 我给你**保存**了一个座位。(Wǒ gěi nǐ **bǎocún** le yīgè zuòwèi.)
    *   **Correct:** 我给你**留**了一个座位。(Wǒ gěi nǐ **liú** le yīgè zuòwèi.) - I saved a seat for you.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[保护]] (bǎohù) - To protect. Focuses on shielding from active harm, while **保存** focuses on maintaining a state. You `保护` a child, but you `保存` a document.
  * [[保留]] (bǎoliú) - To retain; to reserve. Implies keeping something that you could otherwise give away or get rid of. You `保留` your opinion or `保留` a seat.
  * [[储存]] (chǔcún) - To store; to stockpile. Focuses on gathering and storing things, often in quantity, like grain or data.
  * [[存放]] (cúnfàng) - To deposit; to leave in someone's care. Emphasizes the location where something is stored, like putting luggage in a locker.
  * [[救]] (jiù) - To save; to rescue. The correct term for saving a life. A critical "false friend" to avoid confusing with **保存**.
  * [[省钱]] (shěng qián) - To save money (by being frugal). The correct term for saving money by not spending it.
  * [[存钱]] (cún qián) - To save money (by depositing). The correct term for putting money in a bank.
  * [[文件]] (wénjiàn) - File; document. A noun very frequently used as the object of **保存**.
  * [[数据]] (shùjù) - Data. Another common object of **保存** in a tech context.