shěngqián: 省钱 - To Save Money, Be Frugal

Keywords: 省钱, sheng qian, shengqian, save money in Chinese, how to save money Chinese, thrifty Chinese, frugal in Chinese, Chinese word for saving money, economize, cut costs, jiéyuē, cúnqián vs shěngqián

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 省钱 (shěngqián), which means “to save money.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Discover how 省钱 is more than just a financial action; it's a widely respected virtue of thriftiness and practicality. You'll learn the crucial difference between saving by spending less (省钱) and saving by depositing money (存钱, cúnqián), with plenty of example sentences to master its usage in daily conversation.

Pinyin (with tone marks): shěngqián

Part of Speech: Verb-object compound (functions as a verb)

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: To save money by reducing expenses; to be economical.

In a Nutshell: 省钱 (shěngqián) is the action of actively spending less money. It's not about putting money into a bank account, but about being thrifty in your daily choices—like cooking at home instead of eating out, taking the bus instead of a taxi, or buying something on sale. It’s the verb for being frugal and smart with your spending.

省 (shěng): In this context, this character means “to save,” “to economize,” or “to omit.” Think of it as reducing or cutting back on something. (Note: This character can also mean “province