In 15 Seconds
- To spend less money or find a bargain.
- Used as a verb or to describe a frugal lifestyle.
- Focuses on reducing expenses, not bank deposits.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of being frugal or finding ways to reduce your spending. It is what you say when you're trying to keep more cash in your wallet by choosing cheaper options.
Key Examples
3 of 6Deciding to eat at home
为了省钱，我今天不去餐厅吃饭了。
To save money, I'm not going to a restaurant today.
Finding a discount
这个超市的东西很便宜，能省不少钱。
Things in this supermarket are cheap; you can save a lot of money.
Discussing company expenses
我们需要想办法为公司省钱。
We need to find ways to save money for the company.
Cultural Background
Thrift is a traditional Confucian virtue in China, often linked to family stability. While younger generations are consuming more, the habit of 'shěng' (saving/omitting) remains a core part of the social fabric, especially regarding food and daily necessities. It's common for friends to bond over sharing tips on how to get the best discounts.
The 'In-Between' Word
You can add '点' (a little) in the middle: `省点钱` (shěng diǎn qián). It sounds much more natural and less demanding when giving advice.
Don't confuse with '存钱'
Remember: `省钱` is spending less. `存钱` (cún qián) is putting money into a bank account. You `省钱` so that you can `存钱`!
In 15 Seconds
- To spend less money or find a bargain.
- Used as a verb or to describe a frugal lifestyle.
- Focuses on reducing expenses, not bank deposits.
What It Means
省钱 is your go-to phrase for saving money. It combines 省 (to save or omit) with 钱 (money). It is not about saving money in a bank account. It is about spending less than usual. Think of it as 'economizing.' If you buy a coffee on sale, you are 省钱.
How To Use It
You can use it as a verb or an adjective. You might say 'I want to 省钱' before a trip. Or you can describe a method as being very 省钱. It is a very flexible 'verb-object' phrase. You can even stick words in the middle. For example, 省点钱 means 'save a little money.' It is simple, direct, and very common.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing budgets with friends. Use it when you see a great discount at the mall. It is perfect for explaining why you are eating at home. 'I am trying to 省钱 for a new phone.' It is also great for praising a bargain. If a friend finds a cheap flight, tell them they are great at 省钱.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use 省钱 when you mean 'depositing money' in a bank. For that, use 存钱. 省钱 is about the act of not spending. Also, be careful using it in very high-end business negotiations. It can sound a bit 'cheap' or 'penny-pinching.' In those cases, use 'reducing costs' or 'optimizing budget.'
Cultural Background
Chinese culture deeply values thriftiness. There is an old saying that 'thrift builds a home.' Many Chinese people take pride in finding the best deal. It is not seen as being 'poor.' It is seen as being smart and responsible. Even wealthy people might brag about how much they 省钱 on a deal. It is a social sport in many local markets.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more casual, use 省点儿. If something is a great value, call it 划算. If someone is extremely stingy, you might call them 小气. But 省钱 remains the most neutral and positive way to talk about saving. You will hear it in every household across China.
Usage Notes
It is a neutral, everyday phrase. While it's perfectly fine for most situations, avoid it in formal financial reporting where 'cost reduction' terms are preferred.
The 'In-Between' Word
You can add '点' (a little) in the middle: `省点钱` (shěng diǎn qián). It sounds much more natural and less demanding when giving advice.
Don't confuse with '存钱'
Remember: `省钱` is spending less. `存钱` (cún qián) is putting money into a bank account. You `省钱` so that you can `存钱`!
The Pride of Saving
In China, telling someone 'You really know how to `省钱`' is often a high compliment on your intelligence and management skills.
Examples
6为了省钱，我今天不去餐厅吃饭了。
To save money, I'm not going to a restaurant today.
A very common daily reason for staying in.
这个超市的东西很便宜，能省不少钱。
Things in this supermarket are cheap; you can save a lot of money.
Using 'shěng' to describe the benefit of a store.
我们需要想办法为公司省钱。
We need to find ways to save money for the company.
Appropriate for a professional but direct discussion.
快来！这儿在打折，超级省钱！
Come quick! There's a sale here, it's a total money-saver!
Using the phrase to express excitement about a deal.
我最近太穷了，只能靠省钱过日子。
I'm so poor lately, I can only survive by pinching pennies.
Self-deprecating humor about one's financial state.
我们要多省钱，以后买个大房子。
We need to save more money so we can buy a big house later.
Focuses on the long-term goal of frugality.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about buying a cheaper phone.
买二手的手机更 ___。
Buying a second-hand (二手) phone is a way to save money (省钱), not spend more (花钱) or earn (赚钱).
How do you say 'save a little money'?
我想 ___ 点钱。
The verb '省' is used with '钱' to mean save. '省点钱' is a common way to say 'save some money'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '省钱'
Talking to friends about coupons.
省点儿吧！
General daily use.
为了省钱。
Business or financial reports.
节约开支 (Use this instead)
When to say '省钱'
At the Mall
Buying on sale.
At Home
Turning off lights.
Commuting
Taking the bus instead of a taxi.
Planning
Setting a monthly budget.
Practice Bank
2 exercises买二手的手机更 ___。
Buying a second-hand (二手) phone is a way to save money (省钱), not spend more (花钱) or earn (赚钱).
我想 ___ 点钱。
The verb '省' is used with '钱' to mean save. '省点钱' is a common way to say 'save some money'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! It implies you are being smart with your resources. People of all income levels in China use 省钱 to describe getting a good deal.
Yes! You can say 省时间 (shěng shí jiān) to mean 'save time.' The word 省 is very versatile for any resource.
省钱 is more colloquial and specific to money. 节约 (jié yuē) is more formal and can apply to water, electricity, or food, like 节约用水.
If they are overdoing it, use the word 小气 (xiǎo qì). 省钱 is positive, but 小气 means stingy.
It is a verb-object construction. You can say 他在省钱 (He is saving money) or use it as a description like 省钱的方法 (A way to save money).
It is okay for casual meetings, but in formal presentations, use 降低成本 (jiàng dī chéng běn), which means 'reduce costs.'
This is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that means living very frugally, literally 'saving on food and being thrifty in expenses.'
Young people might use 剁手 (duò shǒu - hand chopping) to joke about NOT saving money after a big shopping spree.
You can say 这很省钱 (This is very money-saving) or 这能帮你省钱 (This can help you save money).
Yes, you can use 省事 (shěng shì) to mean 'save trouble' or 'make things easier.'
Related Phrases
存钱
To deposit money / save in a bank
划算
A good deal / worth the price
打折
To give a discount
节约
To conserve or practice thrift (more formal)
