در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Literally means fuel-efficient for vehicles and appliances.
- Metaphorically describes people who are easy-going or low-maintenance.
- Often used negatively to call someone a troublemaker.
معنی
While it literally describes a car that doesn't use much gas, it's also a clever way to describe a person who is low-maintenance and doesn't cause trouble.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Buying a new car
我想买一辆省油的车。
I want to buy a fuel-efficient car.
Complaining about a difficult neighbor
他可不是个省油的灯。
He is definitely not an easy person to deal with.
Talking about a well-behaved child
这孩子真省心，很省油。
This kid is so easy to care for, very low-maintenance.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase originates from the era of oil lamps where fuel was expensive. A lamp that consumed too much oil was a source of stress for a family. Today, it reflects a cultural preference for harmony and 'low-trouble' social interactions.
The 'Lamp' Connection
If you want to sound like a native, don't just say someone is `不省油`. Say `他不是个省油的灯`. Adding the 'lamp' makes it a classic idiom.
Careful with Context
Calling a person `省油` (fuel-saving) directly is rare; we usually use the negative `不省油` to describe trouble. To praise someone for being easy-going, `省心` (save heart/worry) is more common.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Literally means fuel-efficient for vehicles and appliances.
- Metaphorically describes people who are easy-going or low-maintenance.
- Often used negatively to call someone a troublemaker.
What It Means
At its simplest, 省油 means fuel-efficient. You use it for cars, scooters, or heaters. However, the magic happens when you use it for people. To say someone is 不省油 (not fuel-saving) means they are a handful. It implies they consume a lot of your energy or patience. It is the ultimate 'low-maintenance' versus 'high-drama' spectrum.
How To Use It
For machines, just say 这辆车很省油. It is a straightforward compliment. For people, it is almost always used in the negative: 不省油的灯 (a lamp that doesn't save oil). This describes someone who is cunning, troublesome, or just plain exhausting. You are comparing their personality to an old lamp that burns through expensive oil too fast.
When To Use It
You can use the literal meaning at a car dealership. Use the metaphorical version when venting to a best friend. It is perfect for describing a mischievous toddler who just painted the cat. It also works for a coworker who always starts office drama. It adds a bit of flavor to your complaints without being too aggressive.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use the metaphorical 不省油 in a formal performance review. It is a bit too colorful for official HR documents. Also, avoid using it to describe your boss to their face. Even if they are high-maintenance, this phrase carries a sarcastic bite. Stick to literal 'fuel efficiency' when talking to your mechanic.
Cultural Background
In old China, oil for lamps was a precious commodity. A lamp that 'drank' too much oil was a burden on the household. This evolved into a metaphor for people. If someone is an 'expensive lamp,' they are costing you peace of mind. It reflects the traditional Chinese value of being 'easy to manage' and 'frugal.'
Common Variations
The most common twist is 不是个省油的灯. This is the gold standard for describing a troublemaker. You might also hear 省油钱 which specifically refers to saving money on gas. In modern slang, being 'low-maintenance' is a huge compliment, but we still use the 'oil' metaphor to describe the drama queens.
نکات کاربردی
Use literally for vehicles and appliances. When describing people, it's almost always used in the negative idiom '不是个省油的灯' to describe someone who is difficult or cunning.
The 'Lamp' Connection
If you want to sound like a native, don't just say someone is `不省油`. Say `他不是个省油的灯`. Adding the 'lamp' makes it a classic idiom.
Careful with Context
Calling a person `省油` (fuel-saving) directly is rare; we usually use the negative `不省油` to describe trouble. To praise someone for being easy-going, `省心` (save heart/worry) is more common.
Frugality as a Virtue
In Chinese culture, things that 'save' (省) are generally viewed as virtuous. Whether it's saving money, oil, or worry, being 'Sheng' is a compliment.
مثالها
6我想买一辆省油的车。
I want to buy a fuel-efficient car.
This is the most common literal usage.
他可不是个省油的灯。
He is definitely not an easy person to deal with.
Using the 'lamp' idiom to describe a troublemaker.
这孩子真省心，很省油。
This kid is so easy to care for, very low-maintenance.
A friendly way to say a child doesn't cause trouble.
那个明星真不省油，天天上热搜。
That celebrity is a handful, always on the trending list.
Using it for public figures who attract drama.
油价太贵了，省油很重要。
Gas is so expensive; fuel efficiency is very important.
Purely practical and literal context.
我那个儿子，从来都不让我省油。
My son never makes things easy for me.
Expressing emotional exhaustion through the metaphor.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct word to describe a car that saves money on gas.
这辆车非常___，适合上班开。
`省油` specifically refers to saving fuel/oil.
How do you say someone is a troublemaker using the 'lamp' metaphor?
他不是个___的灯。
The set phrase is `不是个省油的灯`.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of '省油'
Used in showrooms or with mechanics.
这车省油吗？
Used with friends to gossip or complain.
他不省油。
Very informal, describing drama.
真不省油！
When to use '省油'
Car Shopping
Asking about MPG
Gossip
Describing a difficult boss
Parenting
Complaining about a wild toddler
Sustainability
Discussing green energy
بانک تمرین
2 تمرینها这辆车非常___，适合上班开。
`省油` specifically refers to saving fuel/oil.
他不是个___的灯。
The set phrase is `不是个省油的灯`.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
سوالات متداول
10 سوالTechnically no, because electric cars don't use oil (油). You would say 省电 (save electricity) instead.
It's a mild-to-moderate criticism. It means the person is tricky or high-maintenance, but it can sometimes be used admiringly for someone who is very sharp or clever.
省油 is literal for cars or metaphorical for troublemakers. 省心 means 'saves worry' and is used for children or tasks that are easy to handle.
No, that doesn't make sense unless the house literally runs on oil heating. For a house, you might say 节能 (energy-saving).
The literal meaning for cars is fine for formal reports. The metaphorical meaning for people is strictly for informal or creative writing.
You would say 这辆车很费油 (This car wastes oil). 费 is the opposite of 省.
Yes! It's very common for family members to say 他不省油 when a sibling is being mischievous.
No, it means 'efficient.' It's a positive trait for a machine, implying quality and cost-effectiveness.
Before electricity, oil lamps were the main light source. A lamp that burned too much oil was a burden, just like a difficult person.
Usually, it's for people or machines. For a situation, you'd more likely say 麻烦 (troublesome).
عبارات مرتبط
省心
To save worry / low-maintenance
费油
Gas-guzzling / inefficient
不省油的灯
A person who is a handful or troublemaker
节能
Energy-saving (more formal/technical)
