jiénéng: 节能 - To Save Energy, Energy Conservation

• Keywords: jieneng, 节能, save energy, energy conservation, conserve energy, energy efficient, Chinese environmental policy, sustainability in China, reduce consumption, eco-friendly Chinese, low-carbon living.
• Summary: Learn about 节能 (jiénéng), the crucial Chinese term for “energy conservation” or “to save energy.” This page breaks down the characters 节 (jié - to save) and 能 (néng - energy), exploring how this simple word reflects a major national priority in modern China. Discover its cultural significance, practical usage on appliances and in policy, and master its use with 10 real-world example sentences, helping you discuss environmental and everyday topics in Mandarin.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiénéng
• Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To conserve energy or be energy-efficient.
• In a Nutshell: 节能 (jiénéng) is the direct Chinese equivalent of “energy saving.” It's a compound word that literally means “to economize energy.” In modern China, this term is ubiquitous. You will see it on government posters, on energy-efficiency labels for air conditioners and refrigerators, and hear it in discussions about environmental protection. It represents a widespread, top-down push for sustainability and responsible resource management.

• 节 (jié): The original character depicted segments of a bamboo stalk. From this idea of “segments” or “joints,” its meaning expanded to include festivals (specific segments of time, like 春节 - Spring Festival) and, most importantly here, “to control, regulate, or economize.” It carries the sense of using something in a controlled, non-wasteful way.
• 能 (néng): This character originally represented a bear, an animal known for its strength. Its meaning evolved to signify “ability,” “capability,” or “power.” In a modern scientific context, it directly translates to “energy” (e.g., 能量 - néngliàng).
• Together, 节能 (jiénéng) literally combines “to economize/save” + “energy.” The meaning is transparent and logical: to conserve power and resources.

In China, 节能 (jiénéng) is more than just a personal choice; it's a national strategy. For decades, China's rapid economic development came at a high environmental cost. In response, the government has made “energy conservation and emission reduction” (节能减排 - jiénéng jiǎnpái) a cornerstone of its national policy. This differs from the Western concept of “going green,” which is often driven by grassroots activism and consumer choice. In China, while individual participation is encouraged, the push for 节能 is heavily promoted from the top down. It's framed as a collective responsibility essential for the nation's sustainable development, energy security, and long-term prosperity. It's seen less as an abstract ethical ideal and more as a pragmatic, necessary step for the country's future. This collective, state-guided approach is a key cultural distinction.

节能 is used in both formal and informal contexts and can function as a verb or an adjective.

• As a Verb (to save energy): It's often used in slogans or to describe actions. Public signs in offices or subways might say “请随手关灯，节约用电” (Please turn off lights when you leave to save electricity), which is a specific form of 节能.
  • “为了节能，我们夏天应该把空调温度调高一点。” (To save energy, we should set the air conditioner temperature a bit higher in the summer.)
• As an Adjective (energy-efficient): This is one of its most common uses in daily life. It modifies nouns to describe products designed to use less energy.
  • 节能灯 (jiénéng dēng): energy-saving lightbulb
  • 节能汽车 (jiénéng qìchē): energy-efficient car
  • 节能模式 (jiénéng móshì): energy-saving mode (on a phone or computer)

The term carries a universally positive and responsible connotation. There is no context where 节能 would be seen as a negative thing.

• Example 1:
  • 政府正在大力推广节能汽车。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài dàlì tuīguǎng jiénéng qìchē.
  • English: The government is vigorously promoting energy-efficient cars.
  • Analysis: Here, 节能 is used as an adjective to describe cars. This is a typical example of its use in the context of government policy.
• Example 2:
  • 请随手关灯，节能环保。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng suíshǒu guān dēng, jiénéng huánbǎo.
  • English: Please turn off the lights when you leave to save energy and protect the environment.
  • Analysis: A very common slogan seen on signs in public places. 节能 is paired with 环保 (huánbǎo - environmental protection), showing their close conceptual link.
• Example 3:
  • 这个新冰箱很节能，一个月能省不少电。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xīn bīngxiāng hěn jiénéng, yí ge yuè néng shěng bùshǎo diàn.
  • English: This new refrigerator is very energy-efficient; it can save a lot of electricity in a month.
  • Analysis: A practical, everyday use. Here, 节能 functions as a stative adjective, describing the quality of the refrigerator.
• Example 4:
  • 节能是每个公民应尽的责任。
  • Pinyin: Jiénéng shì měi ge gōngmín yīng jìn de zérèn.
  • English: Saving energy is a responsibility that every citizen should fulfill.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames 节能 as a civic duty, reflecting its importance in modern Chinese social discourse.
• Example 5:
  • 我们公司今年的节能减排目标很难完成。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī jīnnián de jiénéng jiǎnpái mùbiāo hěn nán wánchéng.
  • English: Our company's energy conservation and emission reduction targets for this year are very difficult to achieve.
  • Analysis: Shows the common and important set phrase 节能减排 (jiénéng jiǎnpái), frequently used in business and policy contexts.
• Example 6:
  • 他非常注重节能，不用的电器总是拔掉插头。
  • Pinyin: Tā fēicháng zhùzhòng jiénéng, bú yòng de diànqì zǒngshì bádiào chātóu.
  • English: He pays great attention to saving energy and always unplugs appliances that aren't in use.
  • Analysis: Here, 节能 is the object of the verb “注重” (zhùzhòng - to pay attention to), referring to the concept of energy conservation as a habit.
• Example 7:
  • 买空调的时候，要仔细看看它的节能等级。
  • Pinyin: Mǎi kōngtiáo de shíhou, yào zǐxì kànkan tā de jiénéng děngjí.
  • English: When buying an air conditioner, you should carefully check its energy efficiency rating.
  • Analysis: 节能等级 (jiénéng děngjí) is the official “energy efficiency rating” label you see on appliances in China.
• Example 8:
  • 为了节能，我们冬天把暖气开得低一些。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiénéng, wǒmen dōngtiān bǎ nuǎnqì kāi de dī yìxiē.
  • English: In order to save energy, we turn the heat down a bit in the winter.
  • Analysis: The phrase “为了… (wèile…)” means “in order to.” This structure clearly shows 节能 as the goal or purpose of an action.
• Example 9:
  • 许多工厂正在引进新技术以实现节能。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō gōngchǎng zhèngzài yǐnjìn xīn jìshù yǐ shíxiàn jiénéng.
  • English: Many factories are introducing new technology to achieve energy conservation.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates 节能 as a goal to be achieved (“实现” - shíxiàn), common in industrial or technological contexts.
• Example 10:
  • 把你的手机调成节能模式可以延长电池寿命。
  • Pinyin: Bǎ nǐ de shǒujī tiáochéng jiénéng móshì kěyǐ yáncháng diànchí shòumìng.
  • English: Switching your phone to energy-saving mode can extend its battery life.
  • Analysis: A modern, digital-age application of the term, showing its relevance in technology.

• 节能 (jiénéng) vs. 省 (shěng):
  • A common point of confusion is the difference between 节能 and the more general verb 省 (shěng), which means “to save.” 省 can be used for anything: money (省钱), time (省时间), or trouble (省事). 节能 is only used for energy.
  • You can say 省电 (shěng diàn) (to save electricity), which is a very common and specific type of 节能. However, 节能 is the broader, more formal term for the entire concept of energy conservation.
  • Incorrect: 我要节能钱。 (I want to energy-save money.)
  • Correct: 我要省钱。 (I want to save money.)
  • Correct: 开这个车很省油。 (This car is fuel-efficient / “saves gas.”)
  • Correct: 开这个车很节能。 (This car is energy-efficient.)
• Focus on Resource, Not Just Money: While saving energy usually leads to saving money, the emphasis of 节能 is on conserving the resource itself. In official or environmental contexts, the motivation is sustainability and national interest, not just personal financial gain.

• 环保 (huánbǎo): Environmental protection. 节能 is a key action taken to achieve 环保.
• 省电 (shěng diàn): To save electricity. A very common and specific type of 节能.
• 减排 (jiǎn pái): Emission reduction. Almost always paired with 节能 in the official policy phrase 节能减排.
• 可持续发展 (kě chíxù fāzhǎn): Sustainable development. This is the ultimate policy goal that 节能 helps China work towards.
• 低碳 (dī tàn): Low-carbon. Describes a lifestyle, product, or economy that minimizes carbon emissions. A 低碳 lifestyle definitely involves 节能.
• 浪费 (làngfèi): To waste. The direct antonym of the principle behind 节能. Wasting electricity is 不节能 (bù jiénéng - not energy-saving).
• 能耗 (nénghào): Energy consumption. The thing that 节能 aims to reduce. An official report might talk about “降低能耗” (jiàngdī nénghào - reduce energy consumption).
• 资源 (zīyuán): Resources. Energy is a type of resource, and 节能 is about conserving these resources.