Keywords: 省力, shengli, shěnglì, save effort Chinese, labor-saving Chinese, make things easier Chinese, efficient Chinese, effortless, Chinese for efficiency, work smarter not harder in Chinese
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 省力 (shěnglì), which means “to save effort” or “labor-saving.” This practical term is used constantly in modern China to describe tools, methods, and clever solutions that make tasks easier and more efficient. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and provides numerous example sentences to show you how to use it to sound like a native speaker who values working smarter, not harder.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): shěnglì
Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To save labor or physical effort; to be labor-saving.
In a Nutshell:省力 (shěnglì) is the feeling of finding a brilliant shortcut or using the perfect tool that makes a difficult job feel surprisingly easy. It’s not about being lazy; it’s about being clever and efficient. Think of the difference between trying to open a can with a knife versus a good can opener—the can opener is incredibly 省力. The word praises the outcome of smart thinking and good design that reduces physical strain.
Character Breakdown
省 (shěng): This character means “to save,” “to economize,” or “to omit.” It’s the same character used in 省钱 (shěng qián), “to save money,” and 省时 (shěng shí), “to save time.” It implies the wise conservation of a resource.
力 (lì): This character means “strength,” “power,” or “effort.” Its shape is said to be a pictograph of a plow or a tensed muscle, representing physical force.
When combined, 省力 (shěnglì) literally translates to “save strength” or “save effort.” The meaning is direct, transparent, and easy to remember.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Virtue of Practicality: In Chinese culture, there's a deep-seated appreciation for practicality (实用主义, shíyòng zhǔyì) and avoiding waste (不浪费, bù làngfèi). This value extends beyond money and food to include one's own time and energy. 省力 is the linguistic embodiment of this value. Finding a 省力 method isn't seen as cutting corners in a negative way; it's viewed as being resourceful and intelligent.
Comparison to “Life Hack”: In the West, the term “life hack” describes a similar idea of finding a clever trick to increase productivity and efficiency. However, “life hack” is a relatively modern, internet-era slang term. 省力, on the other hand, is a fundamental, everyday word deeply embedded in the language. It's used to describe everything from a well-designed wheelbarrow to a streamlined software update. It's less about a “hack” and more about an inherent quality of a good tool or process. Praising something as 省力 is a common and sincere compliment for its design and utility.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As an Adjective: This is its most common usage, typically to describe a tool, machine, or method. It's frequently used in advertising for home appliances, ergonomic tools, and new technology.
e.g., “这个吸尘器很省力。” (This vacuum cleaner is very labor-saving.)
As a Verb: It can also be used as a verb, often in a “verb-object” structure where the object is the effort being saved.
e.g., “为了省力，我们坐电梯吧。” (To save effort, let's take the elevator.)
Connotation: The connotation of 省力 is almost universally positive. It implies efficiency, good design, and intelligence. It's the opposite of being clumsy or inefficient (笨拙, bènzhuō) or doing things the hard way.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
用这个新拖把，打扫卫生省力多了。
Pinyin: Yòng zhège xīn tuōbǎ, dǎsǎo wèishēng shěnglì duō le.
English: Using this new mop, cleaning is much more labor-saving.
Analysis: A classic example of describing a household tool. The phrase “多了 (duō le)” is used to emphasize “much more.”
English: Using the principle of leverage can save a lot of effort.
Analysis: This shows 省力 being split into a verb-object form, “省 (shěng) + 力 (lì).” This is common when you want to quantify the amount of effort saved (e.g., “a lot of effort”).
English: Why don't you use a dishwasher? It's both clean and labor-saving.
Analysis: A simple, persuasive sentence often heard in daily conversation, promoting the use of a helpful appliance.
Example 9:
对老年人来说，一个省力的开罐器非常重要。
Pinyin: Duì lǎoniánrén lái shuō, yí ge shěnglì de kāiguànqì fēicháng zhòngyào.
English: For elderly people, a labor-saving can opener is very important.
Analysis: This highlights the practical importance of 省力 design, especially for people who may have less physical strength.
Example 10:
这样做事太费力了，我们得想个省力的办法。
Pinyin: Zhèyàng zuòshì tài fèilì le, wǒmen děi xiǎng ge shěnglì de bànfǎ.
English: Doing it this way is too strenuous, we have to think of a more labor-saving way.
Analysis: This sentence uses the direct antonym 费力 (fèilì - strenuous) to create contrast and show the motivation for finding a 省力 solution.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
省力 (shěnglì) vs. 容易 (róngyì): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
省力 (shěnglì) refers to the reduction of physical or procedural effort. A task is 省力 if it doesn't make you tired.
容易 (róngyì) refers to a low level of difficulty or complexity. A task is 容易 if it doesn't require much skill or mental effort.
Example: Solving a simple math problem (1+1=2) is 容易 (easy) but doesn't involve the concept of 省力. Using a calculator for a complex math problem is 省力 (effort-saving), even if the problem itself is 难 (nán - difficult).
Incorrect: ~~这个中文考试很省力。~~ (The Chinese test was very labor-saving.)
Correct: 这个中文考试很容易。 (The Chinese test was very easy.)
省力 (shěnglì) vs. 懒惰 (lǎnduò):
省力 is positive. It means you are efficient, smart, and resourceful.
懒惰 (lǎnduò) is negative. It means you are lazy and unwilling to do any work at all.
Context: Choosing to take an elevator instead of the stairs to the 20th floor is 省力. Refusing to take out the trash because you don't feel like it is 懒惰.
Related Terms and Concepts
费力 (fèilì) - The direct antonym of 省力. It means strenuous, strenuous, or requiring a lot of effort.
省时 (shěng shí) - A parallel concept meaning “to save time.” Often used together as in “又省时又省力” (saves both time and effort).
方便 (fāngbiàn) - Convenient. Something that is 省力 is often also 方便, but 方便 focuses more on ease of access and use, while 省力 focuses specifically on the reduction of physical work.
效率 (xiàolǜ) - Efficiency. A 省力 method is a great way to increase your 效率.
轻松 (qīngsōng) - Relaxed, light, without pressure. This describes the *feeling* you have when a task is 省力. Doing a 省力 task makes you feel 轻松.
简单 (jiǎndān) - Simple, uncomplicated. Similar to 容易. A task's simplicity is different from the physical effort it requires.
捷径 (jiéjìng) - A shortcut. Taking a shortcut is a classic way to make a journey more 省力 and 省时.
省钱 (shěng qián) - To save money. Another common term from the “省” family, showing the core concept of economizing a resource.