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Vocabulary
절약하다

B1 verb 8 min read

절약하다

jeoryeokhada

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 절약하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 절약하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '절약하다' as a way to say 'don't waste' or 'save' for basic things like money or water. Even though it is a slightly difficult word for beginners, you will see it on many signs in Korea. For example, in a bathroom, you might see '물 절약' which means 'Save Water.' You can use it simply by saying '돈을 절약해요' (I save money) or '시간을 절약해요' (I save time). It is good to learn this word early because it helps you understand public signs and basic advice from Korean people. Remember that '하다' verbs are easy to conjugate: '절약해요' for present tense and '절약했어요' for past tense. Just focus on the objects: money (돈), water (물), and time (시간).

At the A2 level, you should start using '절약하다' to describe your daily habits. You can explain *why* you are saving by using the '-고 싶어요' (want to) or '-아야 돼요' (must) structures. For instance, '새 차를 사고 싶어서 돈을 절약하고 있어요' (I am saving money because I want to buy a new car). You will also notice this word in environmental contexts, like '에너지 절약' (energy saving). At this level, it's important to distinguish '절약하다' from '저축하다'. Use '절약하다' when you are talking about being careful with what you spend or use, and '저축하다' when you are talking about putting money into a bank account. You can also use it with '습관' (habit) to say '절약하는 습관' (a saving habit).

At the B1 level, '절약하다' becomes a key word for discussing social issues and personal management. You should be able to use it in more complex sentences with connectors like '-(으)려고' (in order to) or '-기 위해서'. For example, '자원을 절약하기 위해 일회용품 사용을 줄여야 합니다' (In order to save resources, we must reduce the use of disposables). You will encounter this word in news articles about the economy or the environment. You should also understand the noun form '절약' and how it combines with other nouns, such as '절약 정신' (the spirit of frugality) or '시간 절약형' (time-saving type). This is also the stage where you should start comparing '절약하다' with its synonyms like '아끼다' and '검소하다' to understand the difference in formality and nuance.

At the B2 level, you should use '절약하다' fluently in debates and formal writing. You can discuss the economic implications of '국가 예산 절약' (saving national budget) or the long-term benefits of '에너지 절약 정책' (energy saving policies). You should be comfortable using the passive form '절약되다' (to be saved/economized) and more advanced structures like '절약하는 데에 한계가 있다' (There is a limit to saving). You can also use the word metaphorically or in business contexts, such as '인건비 절약' (saving on labor costs). At this level, you should be able to explain the cultural importance of thriftiness in Korean society and how it relates to historical events like the 'IMF crisis' where '절약' was a national movement.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the Hanja roots (節約) and how they influence the word's meaning of 'measured restraint.' You can use '절약하다' in academic essays or professional reports to discuss '자원 절약형 산업' (resource-saving industries) or '효율적인 시간 절약 방안' (efficient time-saving measures). You should be able to distinguish '절약하다' from highly specific terms like '감축하다' (to slash/reduce) or '긴축하다' (to tighten, as in austerity). You can also discuss the philosophy of '절약' in the context of minimalism or sustainable development. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the subtle differences in register between '절약하다' and more literary terms like '절검하다' (to be frugal and thrifty).

At the C2 level, you master '절약하다' as a tool for nuanced expression in high-level discourse. You can analyze the socio-economic impacts of mass '절약' during economic downturns versus the need for consumption to stimulate the economy. You can use the word in sophisticated rhetorical structures, such as '절약이 미덕이던 시대는 지났다' (The era when frugality was the only virtue has passed) to argue a point. You should be able to interpret and use idioms or proverbs related to thriftiness, and understand how '절약' fits into the broader vocabulary of Korean ethics and neo-Confucian values. Your usage will be indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, utilizing the word in everything from legal documents to poetic reflections on the passage of time.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

절약하다 in 30 Seconds

절약하다 means to save or economize resources like money and time.
It is a formal '하다' verb used in daily life and professional settings.
The direct antonym is 낭비하다, which means to waste.
It is often confused with 저축하다 (saving money in a bank).

The Korean verb 절약하다 (jeollyakhada) is a critical term for anyone navigating daily life, business, or environmental discussions in Korea. At its core, it means to use resources—be they financial, temporal, or material—in a way that avoids waste and maximizes efficiency. Derived from the Hanja characters 節 (마디 절 - node/limit) and 約 (맺을 약 - promise/restraint), the word literally suggests a 'measured restraint.' Unlike the more casual native Korean word '아끼다,' which can imply a sense of affection or 'cherishing' something, 절약하다 carries a more formal, systematic, and intentional tone. You will encounter this word in news reports discussing energy conservation, in household budgeting conversations, and in corporate settings where cost-cutting is the objective.

Financial Context: When talking about money, it refers to reducing expenses or being frugal with one's budget. It is the act of not spending money on unnecessary things.

생활비를 절약하기 위해서 외식을 줄이고 있어요.

I am reducing eating out to save on living expenses.

Resource Conservation: This applies to electricity, water, paper, and other environmental resources. It is the standard term used in public service announcements.

지구 온난화를 막기 위해 에너지를 절약해야 합니다.

We must conserve energy to prevent global warming.

Furthermore, 절약하다 is frequently used in the context of time management. In a fast-paced society like South Korea, '시간 절약' (time-saving) is a highly valued concept. Whether it is a new transportation route that saves 10 minutes or a kitchen appliance that speeds up cooking, the verb describes the efficiency gained. The cultural nuance here is deeply tied to the value of diligence and the avoidance of '사치' (luxury/extravagance). Being someone who knows how to 절약하다 is generally seen as a virtuous and responsible trait, reflecting a person's ability to plan for the future and respect the effort that went into acquiring those resources.

Usage in Media: News headlines often use this word when discussing national policies or economic downturns where citizens are encouraged to tighten their belts.

정부는 공공기관의 예산을 절약하겠다고 발표했습니다.

The government announced that it would economize the budget of public institutions.

시간을 절약할 수 있는 가장 좋은 방법은 계획을 세우는 것입니다.

The best way to save time is to make a plan.

Using 절약하다 correctly involves understanding its object-verb relationship. Since it is a transitive verb, it almost always takes an object followed by the particle 을/를. Common objects include 돈 (money), 시간 (time), 에너지 (energy), 물 (water), and 자원 (resources). Grammatically, it follows the standard '하다' verb conjugation patterns. For instance, in the present tense, it becomes 절약해요 (polite) or 절약합니다 (formal). In the past tense, it is 절약했어요. When expressing an intention or a suggestion, you might use 절약합시다 (let's save) or 절약해야 해요 (must save).

Purpose-Driven Usage: Often, '절약하다' is paired with '위해서' (for the sake of) to explain the goal behind the economizing.

내년에 집을 사기 위해서 지금부터 돈을 절약하고 있어요.

I am saving money from now on in order to buy a house next year.

Modifying Nouns: When you want to describe a 'saving habit' or a 'way to save,' you use the noun-modifying form '절약하는'.

그는 평소에 전기를 절약하는 습관이 있습니다.

He has a habit of saving electricity in his daily life.

In more complex sentences, 절약하다 can be used with connective endings like -려고 (intending to) or -면서 (while). For example, '종이를 절약하려고 양면 인쇄를 했어요' (I did double-sided printing to save paper). It is also common in the form of 절약하며 살다 (to live while economizing), which describes a lifestyle choice. In professional environments, you might hear 절약 방안 (saving measures) or 절약 캠페인 (conservation campaign). The word is versatile and essential for discussing sustainability and financial literacy.

Comparative Usage: You can compare methods of saving using the '-보다' particle.

지하철을 타는 것이 택시보다 시간을 훨씬 절약해 줍니다.

Taking the subway saves much more time than taking a taxi.

물을 절약하는 방법에는 무엇이 있을까요?

What are some ways to save water?

In South Korea, 절약하다 is a word embedded in the national consciousness. You will hear it in public restrooms on signs that say '물을 절약합시다' (Let's save water). You will hear it in subway announcements or on billboards during the peak of summer or winter when the government encourages citizens to 전기를 절약하다 (save electricity) to prevent blackouts. It is a staple in the vocabulary of parents who are teaching their children about the value of money and resources. If you watch Korean dramas (K-Dramas), you might see a character who is struggling financially and constantly looking for ways to 생활비를 절약하다 (save on living costs), perhaps by eating convenience store meals or walking instead of taking the bus.

Environmental Campaigns: NGOs and government bodies use this word constantly in posters and social media to promote eco-friendly habits.

일회용품 사용을 줄여서 자원을 절약합시다.

Let's save resources by reducing the use of disposable items.

Corporate Efficiency: In meetings, managers might discuss how to '경비를 절약하다' (save on expenses) to improve the company's bottom line.

불필요한 회의를 줄여서 업무 시간을 절약해야 합니다.

We must save work time by reducing unnecessary meetings.

Furthermore, the word is prominent in the 'Zero Waste' movement in Korea. Influencers and bloggers often share '절약 꿀팁' (saving honey-tips/great tips) on how to live minimally. In educational settings, students learn about '절약' as a part of moral education (도덕), emphasizing that thriftiness is a virtue that helps the nation's economy. When you go to a supermarket, you might see '절약형' (economy-type) packaging, which refers to bulk items that are cheaper per unit. In short, 절약하다 is not just a verb; it's a reflection of a societal value system that prioritizes prudence and collective responsibility over wastefulness.

Domestic Life: Grandparents often remind grandchildren to '절약' because they lived through times of scarcity, making the word carry historical weight.

어머니는 항상 음식을 절약하며 요리하십니다.

My mother always cooks while being economical with food.

이번 달에는 가스비를 절약하기 위해 난방을 줄였습니다.

This month, I reduced the heating to save on gas bills.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 절약하다 with 저축하다 (to save/deposit money) or 아끼다 (to cherish/save). While all three can be translated as 'to save' in English, their usage is distinct. 저축하다 specifically refers to the act of putting money into a savings account or a piggy bank. If you say '전기를 저축하다,' it sounds like you are trying to store electricity in a battery for later, whereas '전기를 절약하다' means you are turning off lights to avoid wasting it. Another common error is using 절약하다 for people. You cannot 'save' a person from danger using this word; for that, you must use '구하다' (to rescue).

Mistaking for 'Saving People': 절약하다 is only for resources, money, or time. It is never used for rescuing or saving lives.

[Wrong] 소방관이 아이를 절약했어요. (X) -> [Correct] 소방관이 아이를 구했어요. (O)

Confusion with '저축하다': Remember: 절약 is 'spending less,' 저축 is 'putting away.'

[Wrong] 은행에 돈을 절약했어요. (X) -> [Correct] 은행에 돈을 저축했어요. (O)

Another nuance to be aware of is the difference between 절약하다 and 인색하다 (to be stingy). While '절약하다' is positive, '인색하다' is negative. If you are being economical for a good reason, you are '절약하는 사람.' If you refuse to spend money even when it's necessary, people might call you '인색한 사람' or a '구두쇠' (miser). Learners often struggle with the particle usage as well; always ensure the resource being saved is the direct object with '을/를'. Finally, don't confuse 절약 (saving) with 전략 (strategy)—the pronunciation and spelling are very similar!

Spelling Confusion: 절약 (jeol-yak) vs 전략 (jeon-ryak). One is saving, the other is strategy.

전쟁 전략 (War strategy) vs 시간 절약 (Time saving).

[Wrong] 시간을 절약이 중요해요. (X) -> [Correct] 시간 절약이 중요해요. (O) or 시간을 절약하는 것이 중요해요. (O)

To truly master 절약하다, you should know its related terms and how they differ in register and context. The most common alternative is the native Korean verb 아끼다. While 절약하다 is more formal and emphasizes the act of economizing, 아끼다 is broader. You can '아끼다' a person (to treasure them), '아끼다' your energy (to save strength), or '아끼다' an object (to use it carefully because you like it). In daily conversation, '돈을 아껴 써라' (Spend money carefully/save) is more common than '돈을 절약해라,' which sounds like something a teacher or a financial advisor would say.

절약하다 vs 아끼다: 절약하다 is technical/formal; 아끼다 is emotional/casual. You절약 resources, but you 아껴 your loved ones.

그는 동생을 매우 아낍니다. (He treasures his brother.) vs 그는 물을 절약합니다. (He saves water.)

검소하다 (To be frugal): This is an adjective describing a person's lifestyle or character. A person who '절약하다' often has a '검소한' lifestyle.

그 부자는 아주 검소한 생활을 합니다.

That rich person lives a very frugal life.

Other related terms include 감축하다 (to reduce/slash), often used in business for 'cost reduction' (비용 감축), and 보존하다 (to preserve), used for nature or heritage. If you want to talk about saving time specifically, you might use 단축하다 (to shorten/cut down time). For example, '공사 기간을 단축하다' (to shorten the construction period). Understanding these synonyms allows you to choose the most precise word for your context, moving your Korean from intermediate to advanced proficiency.

단축하다 vs 절약하다: 단축하다 emphasizes making a duration shorter; 절약하다 emphasizes not wasting the time you have.

새 도로 덕분에 이동 시간이 단축되었습니다.

Travel time has been shortened thanks to the new road.

종이를 절약하는 것은 환경 보호의 첫걸음입니다.

Saving paper is the first step in environmental protection.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, 節 (jeol) also referred to seasonal festivals, suggesting that saving was something done between these significant events.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɕʌɭ.jak.ha.da/

US /dʒʌl.jɑk.hɑ.dɑ/

The stress is relatively even, but a slight emphasis on the first syllable '절' (jeol) is common.

Rhymes With

서약하다 (to pledge) 계약하다 (to contract) 예약하다 (to reserve) 공약하다 (to promise) 집약하다 (to concentrate) 생략하다 (to omit) 조약하다 (to be crude) 활약하다 (to be active)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jeol' as 'jol'.
Missing the final 'k' sound in 'yak' before 'ha'.
Confusing it with 'jeon-ryak' (strategy).
Not linking the 'k' and 'h' smoothly.
Vowel length errors in 'jeol'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in signs and news, easy to recognize.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct object markers and conjugation.

Speaking 4/5

Must distinguish from '아끼다' and '저축하다' in context.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with '전략'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

돈 시간 하다 아끼다 쓰다

Learn Next

저축하다 낭비하다 검소하다 효율적

Advanced

긴축 절감 감축 부가가치

Grammar to Know

-(으)려고 하다 (Intention)

돈을 절약하려고 점심을 집에서 먹어요.

-기 위해서 (For the sake of)

자원을 절약하기 위해서 분리수거를 해요.

-아야/어야 하다 (Obligation)

지구를 위해 물을 절약해야 해요.

-는 것 (Gerund)

시간을 절약하는 것은 아주 중요해요.

-아/어서 (Reason/Sequence)

전기를 절약해서 전기료가 적게 나왔어요.

Examples by Level

물을 절약해요.

I save water.

Simple present tense polite form.

돈을 절약하세요.

Please save money.

Imperative polite form (-세요).

시간을 절약합시다.

Let's save time.

Suggestive form (-읍시다).

종이를 절약해요.

I save paper.

Object marker '를' used with '종이'.

전기를 절약해요.

I save electricity.

Common collocation with electricity.

우리는 절약해요.

We save.

Subject '우리' with '는'.

오늘부터 절약해요.

I save from today.

Time expression '오늘부터'.

많이 절약해요.

I save a lot.

Adverb '많이' modifying the verb.

용돈을 절약하고 싶어요.

I want to save my allowance.

Expressing desire with -고 싶다.

에너지를 절약해야 돼요.

We must save energy.

Expressing obligation with -아야 되다.

어떻게 돈을 절약해요?

How do you save money?

Interrogative sentence.

저는 매일 절약해요.

I save every day.

Adverbial '매일'.

절약하는 것이 좋아요.

Saving is good.

Gerund form -는 것.

가스비를 절약했어요.

I saved on the gas bill.

Past tense -았/었-.

물을 절약하려고 해요.

I intend to save water.

Intention with -(으)려고 하다.

버스를 타면 시간을 절약할 수 있어요.

If you take the bus, you can save time.

Conditional -면 and capability -ㄹ 수 있다.

생활비를 절약하기 위해 외식을 줄였습니다.

I reduced eating out to save on living expenses.

Purpose clause -기 위해.

환경을 보호하려면 자원을 절약해야 합니다.

If you want to protect the environment, you must save resources.

Conditional -려면 (short for -려고 하면).

이 제품은 전기를 절약해 주는 효과가 있어요.

This product has an effect of saving electricity.

Benefactive form -어 주다.

시간을 절약할 수 있는 방법을 알려 주세요.

Please tell me a way to save time.

Noun modifying form -ㄹ 수 있는.

우리는 예산을 절약해서 여행을 가기로 했어요.

We decided to save the budget and go on a trip.

Sequential connector -아/어서.

절약하는 습관은 어릴 때부터 중요합니다.

The habit of saving is important from a young age.

Topic marker '은' with a noun phrase.

그는 아주 절약하며 사는 사람이에요.

He is a person who lives while saving a lot.

Simultaneous action -며.

종이를 절약하려고 이면지를 사용해요.

I use scrap paper to save paper.

Purpose connector -려고.

정부는 공공기관의 에너지를 절약하라고 지시했습니다.

The government ordered public institutions to save energy.

Indirect command -(으)라고.

불필요한 지출을 절약하는 것이 경제적입니다.

It is economical to save on unnecessary expenses.

Noun phrase as subject.

시간을 절약하려다 오히려 일을 그르쳤어요.

I tried to save time but ended up ruining the job instead.

Intention followed by negative result -려다(가).

신기술 덕분에 생산 비용을 획기적으로 절약할 수 있었습니다.

Thanks to new technology, we were able to drastically save on production costs.

Causal expression '덕분에'.

물가가 올라서 생활비를 더 절약할 수밖에 없어요.

Since prices rose, I have no choice but to save more on living expenses.

Expression of necessity -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다.

그 기업은 종이 없는 사무실을 통해 자원을 절약하고 있습니다.

The company is saving resources through a paperless office.

Instrumental particle '를 통해'.

국가적 차원에서 물을 절약하려는 노력이 필요합니다.

Efforts to save water are needed at the national level.

Noun modifying future intention -(으)려는.

시간을 절약하는 것도 하나의 능력이라고 생각해요.

I think saving time is also a kind of ability.

Quotation form -라고 생각하다.

기업들은 경쟁력을 확보하기 위해 운영비를 절약하는 데 총력을 기울이고 있습니다.

Companies are focusing all their efforts on saving operating costs to secure competitiveness.

Advanced phrase '총력을 기울이다'.

자원을 무분별하게 낭비하기보다 절약하는 자세가 요구되는 시점입니다.

It is a time when an attitude of saving is required rather than wasting resources indiscriminately.

Passive form '요구되다' and comparison '-보다'.

그의 검소한 생활 방식은 단순히 돈을 절약하는 것을 넘어 철학적 가치를 담고 있습니다.

His frugal lifestyle goes beyond simply saving money and contains philosophical values.

Expression '-(으)를 넘어' (beyond).

효율적인 공정 개선을 통해 원자재를 30% 이상 절약하는 성과를 거두었습니다.

Through efficient process improvement, we achieved the result of saving more than 30% of raw materials.

Formal achievement expression '성과를 거두다'.

시간을 절약하기 위한 다각적인 노력이 사회 전반에서 일어나고 있습니다.

Multifaceted efforts to save time are occurring throughout society.

Adjective '다각적인' (multifaceted).

에너지를 절약하는 행위는 미래 세대를 위한 가장 기본적인 배려입니다.

The act of saving energy is the most basic consideration for future generations.

Noun form '행위' (act/conduct).

정부는 예산 절약을 명분으로 복지 혜택을 축소해서는 안 됩니다.

The government should not reduce welfare benefits under the pretext of budget saving.

Pretext expression '-을/를 명분으로'.

현대인들에게 시간 절약은 단순한 선택이 아닌 생존의 문제입니다.

For modern people, saving time is not a simple choice but a matter of survival.

Structure 'A-이/가 아닌 B' (Not A but B).

자원의 유한함을 인식하고 이를 절약하는 것은 인류의 지속 가능한 발전을 위한 필수 과제입니다.

Recognizing the finiteness of resources and saving them is an essential task for the sustainable development of mankind.

Abstract noun '유한함' (finiteness).

과거의 절약이 빈곤에서 벗어나기 위한 수단이었다면, 현대의 절약은 가치 소비의 일환입니다.

If saving in the past was a means to escape poverty, modern saving is a part of value-based consumption.

Contrastive structure '-었다면, ...이다'.

극심한 경기 침체 속에서 가계는 지출을 극도로 절약하며 불확실한 미래에 대비하고 있습니다.

Amidst a severe economic recession, households are saving their spending to the extreme and preparing for an uncertain future.

Adverb '극도로' (extremely).

정치권에서는 예산 절약의 실효성을 두고 치열한 갑론을박이 이어지고 있습니다.

In political circles, fierce arguments are continuing over the effectiveness of budget saving.

Idiom '갑론을박' (fierce debate).

진정한 의미의 절약은 무조건 아끼는 것이 아니라, 자원의 가치를 극대화하여 사용하는 것입니다.

True saving is not about saving unconditionally, but about maximizing and using the value of resources.

Refining a definition with '진정한 의미의'.

환경 윤리적 관점에서 볼 때, 에너지를 절약하지 않는 행위는 도덕적 해이로 간주될 수 있습니다.

From an environmental ethical perspective, the act of not saving energy can be regarded as moral hazard.

Passive potential '간주될 수 있다'.

기술의 진보는 인간의 노동 시간을 절약해 주었으나, 동시에 새로운 형태의 시간 빈곤을 야기했습니다.

Technological progress has saved human labor time, but at the same time, it has caused a new form of time poverty.

Contrastive connector '-으나'.

문학 작품 속에서 절약은 종종 인물의 성격적 결함이나 혹은 숭고한 절제미를 드러내는 장치로 쓰입니다.

In literary works, frugality is often used as a device to reveal a character's personality flaws or a sublime beauty of restraint.

Literary term '절제미' (beauty of restraint).

Synonyms

아끼다 검소하다 축소하다

Antonyms

낭비하다 허비하다

Common Collocations

돈을 절약하다

시간을 절약하다

에너지를 절약하다

물을 절약하다

예산을 절약하다

생활비를 절약하다

종이를 절약하다

전기를 절약하다

자원을 절약하다

비용을 절약하다

Common Phrases

절약 정신

— A spirit or mindset of frugality.

그는 절약 정신이 투철하다.

절약 캠페인

— A campaign to encourage saving.

학교에서 에너지 절약 캠페인을 한다.

시간 절약형

— Time-saving type (usually describing a product).

이것은 시간 절약형 가전제품이다.

절약 방법

— A method or way of saving.

효과적인 절약 방법을 공유해 주세요.

절약 습관

— A habit of saving.

어릴 때 절약 습관을 기르는 게 좋다.

절약 모드

— Power-saving mode (on electronic devices).

노트북을 절약 모드로 설정했다.

절약 노하우

— Saving know-how or tips.

주부들의 절약 노하우를 배웠다.

절약왕

— The 'king of saving' (someone very good at it).

그는 동네에서 소문난 절약왕이다.

절약 상품

— Economy products or bulk items.

마트에서 절약 상품을 구매했다.

대폭 절약

— Drastic saving.

신기술로 연료를 대폭 절약했다.

Often Confused With

절약하다 vs 저축하다

저축하다 is specifically for banking money; 절약하다 is for not wasting resources.

절약하다 vs 전략

Spelling/Pronunciation: 전략 (Strategy) vs 절약 (Saving).

절약하다 vs 아끼다

아끼다 involves emotion/cherishing; 절약하다 is more systematic/economical.

Idioms & Expressions

"티끌 모아 태산"

— Gather dust to make a mountain. Small savings add up to a lot.

티끌 모아 태산이라더니 정말 돈이 많이 모였네.

Common Idiom

"허리띠를 졸라매다"

— To tighten one's belt. To economize during hard times.

경기가 안 좋아서 모두 허리띠를 졸라매고 있다.

Common Idiom

"가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모른다"

— Not realizing one's clothes are getting soaked in a drizzle. Small expenses lead to big losses.

작은 지출도 절약해야 해. 가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모른다잖아.

Common Idiom

"천 원을 우습게 알지 마라"

— Don't look down on 1,000 won. Respect small amounts of money.

절약하려면 천 원을 우습게 알지 마라.

Advice

"안 쓰고 안 먹다"

— Not using and not eating. Saving to the extreme.

그는 안 쓰고 안 먹으며 돈을 모았다.

Casual

"손이 작다"

— To have small hands. To be frugal or stingy (context dependent).

그녀는 손이 작아서 낭비하는 법이 없다.

Casual

"구두쇠"

— A miser or a very stingy person.

그는 돈을 너무 절약해서 구두쇠라는 말을 듣는다.

Casual

"뼈를 깎는 절약"

— Bone-cutting saving. Saving with extreme effort or pain.

회사는 뼈를 깎는 절약으로 위기를 넘겼다.

Formal/Metaphorical

"마른 수건도 다시 짠다"

— Wringing even a dry towel. Extreme frugality.

그 기업은 마른 수건도 다시 짜는 식으로 비용을 절약한다.

Business Idiom

"근검절약"

— Diligence and frugality. A traditional four-character idiom.

우리 집안의 가훈은 근검절약이다.

Formal (Saja-seong-eo)

Easily Confused

절약하다 vs 저축하다

Both translate to 'save' in English.

저축 is 'accumulating' in a bank; 절약 is 'not spending' or 'using less'.

은행에 돈을 저축해요. (I save/deposit money in the bank.) vs 시장에서 돈을 절약해요. (I save money at the market by buying less.)

절약하다 vs 구하다

Both translate to 'save' in English.

구하다 is to rescue a person/animal; 절약하다 is for resources.

사람을 구해요. (Save a person.) vs 물을 절약해요. (Save water.)

절약하다 vs 아끼다

Very similar meanings.

아끼다 is native Korean and more versatile (can save people/things out of love). 절약하다 is Hanja-based and more formal.

동생을 아껴요. (I treasure my brother.) vs 전기를 절약해요. (I save electricity.)

절약하다 vs 보존하다

Both involve keeping something.

보존하다 is to preserve/protect from damage; 절약하다 is to use less to avoid waste.

문화재를 보존해요. (Preserve cultural heritage.) vs 자원을 절약해요. (Save resources.)

절약하다 vs 단축하다

Both relate to time.

단축하다 is to make a duration shorter; 절약하다 is to use the existing time efficiently.

시간을 단축해요. (Shorten the time/duration.) vs 시간을 절약해요. (Save time/don't waste it.)

Sentence Patterns

N을/를 절약해요.

물을 절약해요.

N을/를 절약하고 싶어요.

돈을 절약하고 싶어요.

V-기 위해 N을/를 절약해요.

집을 사기 위해 돈을 절약해요.

N을/를 절약하는 방법

시간을 절약하는 방법

N을/를 절약할 수밖에 없다

생활비를 절약할 수밖에 없어요.

N 절약의 필요성

에너지 절약의 필요성

N을/를 절약하는 데 한계가 있다

비용을 절약하는 데 한계가 있다.

N 절약이 미덕이다

근검절약이 미덕이다.

Word Family

Nouns

절약 (saving/frugality)

절약가 (a frugal person)

절약형 (economy type)

절약액 (amount saved)

Verbs

절약되다 (to be saved/economized)

절약하다 (to save/economize)

Adjectives

절약적 (frugal/economical)

아끼다

저축

낭비

검소

근검

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in educational, environmental, and financial contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '절약하다' to mean 'rescue'. → 구하다 / 구조하다
You cannot '절약' a person from a fire. That is only for resources.
Using '저축하다' for time. → 시간을 절약하다
'저축하다' is only for money in a bank.
Using the wrong particle: '시간이 절약하다'. → 시간을 절약하다
It's a transitive verb, so use the object marker '을/를'.
Confusing '절약' (saving) with '전략' (strategy). → Check spelling.
They sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Using '절약하다' for cherishing a person. → 아끼다
'절약하다' is purely economical/functional, not emotional.

Tips

Focus on Collocations

Instead of just learning the word, learn '돈 절약', '시간 절약', and '에너지 절약' as set phrases. This will make your Korean sound more natural.

The 'K' Sound

Make sure to pronounce the 'ㄱ' in '약' clearly before moving to '하다'. It sounds like 'jeol-yak-ha-da'.

The Spirit of Frugality

Understand that in Korea, saving is not just about being poor; it is a respected character trait.

Passive vs Active

Use '절약하다' when you are the one saving, and '절약되다' when something (like time or money) is being saved by a situation.

Synonym Nuance

Use '아끼다' for things you love and '절약하다' for things you manage.

Formal Contexts

When writing an essay about the environment, always use '절약하다' instead of '아끼다'.

Public Signs

Look for '절약' on signs in public places in Korea. It's a great way to see the word in action.

Jail the Yak

Remember: Jail your Yak (resources) to save them! (Jeol-yak).

Daily Journal

Try to write one thing you '절약'ed every day in your diary.

Efficiency

Remember that '시간 절약' is a huge concept in Korea's 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jeol' as a 'Jail' for your 'Yak' (money/resources). You keep them locked up so they don't run away!

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of scissors cutting a 'Waste' monster into small pieces to save resources.

Word Web

Money Time Water Electricity Waste Economy Frugal Habit

Challenge

Try to spend an entire day without buying anything unnecessary and describe it using '절약하다' in three different sentences.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 節 (마디 절) and 約 (맺을 약).

Original meaning: The character 節 refers to the nodes of bamboo, implying segments or limits. 約 means to bind or promise. Together, they mean to limit and bind one's usage.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-eo).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to call someone '인색하다' (stingy) when you mean they are '절약하다' (frugal), as the former is an insult.

In English, 'save' is a catch-all word. In Korean, you must specify if you are saving money (저축), resources (절약), or people (구조).

The 'Anabada' (아나바다) movement in Korea. Korean TV shows like 'The King of Savings' (절약의 왕). Government posters during the energy crisis.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Household Budgeting

생활비를 절약하다
가계부를 쓰다
할인 쿠폰을 쓰다
외식을 줄이다

Environmental Protection

에너지를 절약하다
일회용품을 줄이다
재활용하다
물을 아껴 쓰다

Business/Work

경비를 절약하다
업무 시간을 단축하다
종이를 절약하다
효율을 높이다

Time Management

시간을 절약하다
계획을 세우다
우선순위를 정하다
지름길을 찾다

Shopping

절약형 상품
최저가 검색
충동구매 자제
가성비

Conversation Starters

"돈을 절약하는 자신만의 꿀팁이 있나요?"

"환경을 위해 집에서 어떤 것을 절약하고 계세요?"

"시간을 절약하기 위해 가장 자주 사용하는 앱은 무엇인가요?"

"한국 사람들은 왜 절약을 중요하게 생각할까요?"

"요즘 물가가 너무 비싼데, 어떻게 생활비를 절약하고 있나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루 동안 내가 절약한 것들에 대해 써 보세요.

내가 미래에 큰 돈을 모으기 위해 지금 절약해야 할 세 가지는 무엇인가요?

에너지를 절약하는 것이 우리 사회에 왜 중요한지 자신의 생각을 적어 보세요.

시간을 절약해서 얻은 여유 시간에 무엇을 하고 싶은지 써 보세요.

어릴 때 부모님께 배운 절약 습관에 대해 이야기해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '절약하다' is only for resources like money, time, and materials. To save a person's life, you should use '구하다' or '구조하다'.

In formal writing, news, and signs, '절약하다' is more common. In daily spoken Korean, '아끼다' or '아껴 쓰다' is used more frequently.

No, '저축하다' is only for money or physical savings. For time, you must use '절약하다' or '아끼다'.

'절약' is the action of saving (verb/noun), while '검소' is the quality of being frugal (adjective).

It is '절약 모드' or more specifically '절전 모드' (Saving electricity mode).

Yes, but '아끼다' is more common for food. You might use '절약하다' when discussing food waste on a large scale.

It is very positive. It implies wisdom, discipline, and responsibility.

The most common opposite is '낭비' (waste).

No, '절약되다' is passive, so the particle should be '이/가'. You should say '돈이 절약되다' (Money is saved).

Yes, it is very common in business for 'cost-cutting' (비용 절약).