Keywords: 节约, jieyue, jiéyuē, how to say save in Chinese, conserve in Chinese, meaning of jieyue, Chinese frugality, save resources in Chinese, 节约用水, 节约用电, 节约时间, be thrifty in Chinese.
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 节约 (jiéyuē), which means “to save,” “to conserve,” or “to be frugal.” More than just a verb, 节约 is a core cultural value in China representing the virtue of not being wasteful with resources like water, electricity, money, or time. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use with many example sentences, helping you understand why being “节约” is considered a great compliment in Chinese culture.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jiéyuē
Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To use resources carefully and avoid waste; to economize or be frugal.
In a Nutshell:节约 (jiéyuē) is the principle of mindful consumption. It's not about being stingy or cheap, but about being responsible and wise. Think of it as the opposite of “wasteful” (浪费 làngfèi). When you turn off the lights when leaving a room, you are being 节约. When you finish all the food on your plate, you are also being 节约. It's a highly respected trait that reflects prudence and respect for resources.
Character Breakdown
节 (jié): This character's original form depicts a stalk of bamboo with its joints or segments (竹节 zhújié). This idea of segments leads to concepts of moderation, control, and rhythm. It also means “festival” (节日 jiérì), which are fixed, controlled segments of the year. In 节约, it carries the meaning of moderating or controlling.
约 (yuē): This character means to bind, restrict, or make an agreement. Think of making an appointment (预约 yùyuē), where you are “bound” to a specific time.
Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “to control and restrict.” This beautifully forms the meaning of 节约 (jiéyuē): to control your usage of something to restrict waste, thus saving or conserving it.
Cultural Context and Significance
Frugality as a Virtue: In Chinese culture, 节约 (jiéyuē), often expressed as the virtue of 节俭 (jiéjiǎn), is a cornerstone of traditional morality. Rooted in Confucian values and the agricultural reality of a nation that has historically faced scarcity, not wasting resources is seen as a sign of good character, foresight, and respect for the labor of others. There is a famous classic poem taught to every child that ends with, “谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦 (shuí zhī pán zhōng cān, lì lì jiē xīn kǔ),” meaning “Who knows that for each grain of rice in our bowl, much hard work was done?” This ethos is the heart of 节约.
Comparison to Western “Thriftiness”: While “being thrifty” or “eco-conscious” exists in the West, 节约 is more deeply ingrained as a societal and moral standard. In the U.S., frugality might be a personal financial strategy or a lifestyle choice (like minimalism). In China, 节约 is a collective value and a public good. You will see government-sponsored signs everywhere reminding citizens to 节约用水 (jiéyuē yòng shuǐ) (conserve water) and 节约用电 (jiéyuē yòng diàn) (conserve electricity). Being wasteful (`浪费 làngfèi`) can bring social shame in a way that is much stronger than in many Western cultures.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Public Slogans:节约 is extremely common in public service announcements and slogans posted in schools, offices, restaurants, and public restrooms. It serves as a constant, formal reminder of this shared social responsibility.
Daily Compliments & Advice: In conversation, calling someone 节约 is a compliment on their sensible and responsible character. Parents often teach their children to be 节约. For example: “你要学会节约，不要乱花钱。” (You need to learn to be frugal and not spend money carelessly.)
Formality & Connotation:节约 is almost always positive and can be used in both formal (e.g., company reports on saving energy) and informal (e.g., family conversations about household spending) settings. Its opposite, 浪费 (làngfèi), is a strong, negative criticism.
English: We need to conserve printer paper; try to print double-sided as much as possible.
Analysis: A practical, everyday example from an office or school setting.
Example 8:
虽然他现在很有钱，但他仍然保持着节约的好习惯。
Pinyin: Suīrán tā xiànzài hěn yǒu qián, dàn tā réngrán bǎochí zhe jiéyuē de hǎo xíguàn.
English: Although he is very rich now, he still maintains the good habit of being frugal.
Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that 节约 is a virtue and a habit, independent of one's wealth.
Example 9:
节约是一种美德。
Pinyin: Jiéyuē shì yī zhǒng měidé.
English: Frugality is a virtue.
Analysis: A simple but profound sentence that directly states the cultural status of 节约. Here it functions as a noun, “frugality.”
Example 10:
与其买新的，不如修理一下旧的，这样更节约。
Pinyin: Yǔqí mǎi xīn de, bùrú xiūlǐ yīxià jiù de, zhèyàng gèng jiéyuē.
English: Rather than buying a new one, it's better to repair the old one; this is more economical.
Analysis: This sentence illustrates the practical philosophy of 节约 in action.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing `节约 (jiéyuē)` with “Stingy”.
A common pitfall is to think 节约 means the same as the English word “cheap” or “stingy.” 节约 is a positive virtue of not wasting. “Stingy” is a negative personality flaw of not being willing to spend money, even when necessary. The Chinese word for “stingy” is 小气 (xiǎoqì).
Correct: 他很节约。(He is very frugal.) → Compliment.
Incorrect Association: He is 节约 → He is stingy.
Correct word for “stingy”: 他很小气。(He is very stingy.) → Insult.
Mistake 2: Confusing `节约 (jiéyuē)` with `省 (shěng)`.
省 (shěng) also means “to save,” and is often used more colloquially, especially with money (省钱 shěng qián) and time (省时间 shěng shíjiān).
The Difference:节约 emphasizes the act of conserving a resource by reducing consumption and carries a stronger moral tone. 省 is a broader term for “saving” that can also mean finding a shortcut or a good deal.
Example:
你应该节约用钱。(Yīnggāi jiéyuē yòng qián.) - You should use money frugally (i.e., don't buy wasteful things). This is moral advice.
这件衣服打折，帮我省了五十块钱。(Zhè jiàn yīfu dǎzhé, bāng wǒ shěng le wǔshí kuài qián.) - This piece of clothing was on sale, it helped me save 50 yuan. This is a statement of fact, not a moral judgment.
In many cases they are interchangeable, but 节约 is slightly more formal and virtuous.
Mistake 3: Using `节约` to save a person.
节约 is only for resources, materials, or abstract concepts like time and energy. To save a person's life, you must use the verb 救 (jiù).
Incorrect: ~~我节约了他。~~ (I saved him.)
Correct: 我救了他。(Wǒ jiù le tā.) (I saved him.)
Related Terms and Concepts
浪费 (làngfèi) - The direct antonym of `节约`. It means “to waste” and carries a very negative connotation.
省 (shěng) - A more common and colloquial synonym for “to save,” especially money and time. Less formal than `节约`.
节俭 (jiéjiǎn) - A related adjective or noun meaning “thrifty” or “frugality.” It describes the virtue or quality itself, while `节约` is often the action.
珍惜 (zhēnxī) - To cherish or to treasure something. You `珍惜` things you value emotionally (like friendship, health, or time), while you `节约` things you consume practically (like water, money, or time).
保护 (bǎohù) - To protect. Often used in conjunction with `节约`, as in the common phrase `保护环境，节约资源` (protect the environment, conserve resources).
小气 (xiǎoqì) - The negative trait of being “stingy” or “miserly.” This is what `节约` is not.
开源节流 (kāi yuán jié liú) - An idiom meaning “to open the source and reduce the flow.” It's a four-character summary of the financial strategy to increase income and cut expenses, with `节流` being the `节约` part.