Definition
节约 means 'to save, to economize' — it is broad and often used for resources, energy, or water in a general conservation sense. Its near-synonym 节省 (HSK5) is more specific, focusing on reducing the amount of something used (time, money, effort); you can say 节省时间 but not 节约时间.
verb
to economizeto save (resources)to conserve
Easily confused
- 解约jiě yuēsound-aliketo terminate a contract (or agreement); to cancel a contract
Examples
- 节约，。Wǒmen yào jié yuē yòng shuǐ, bú yào làngfèi.We need to conserve water and not waste it.
- 节约。Bàba gàosu wǒ měi gè yuè dōu yào jié yuē yì diǎn qián.Dad tells me to economize a little every month.
- 节约。Měi gè rén dōu yīnggāi jié yuē zīyuán.Everyone should conserve resources.
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