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B2 noun 8 min read

积蓄

jīxù

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 积蓄 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 积蓄 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '积蓄' (jīxù) yet. Instead, you focus on the basic building blocks: '钱' (qián - money) and '存' (cún - to save/store). You might say '我有钱' (I have money) or '我存钱' (I save money). '积蓄' is a more advanced noun that describes the total amount of money you have saved over a long time. At this stage, just recognize that it is related to 'money' and 'saving.' If you see it in a sentence, think of it as a fancy way to say 'the money I have saved.' You will mostly encounter simple nouns for objects at this level, so '积蓄' will appear as a complex concept that you will master later. Focus on learning the characters '积' (accumulate) and '蓄' (store) separately first.

By A2, you are starting to talk about daily routines and simple future plans. While '积蓄' might still be a bit formal, you might hear it in the context of buying something special. Instead of just saying 'I have money,' you might encounter '积蓄' when someone explains why they can afford a new phone or a trip. You should understand that '积蓄' is a noun. For example, if someone says '这是我的积蓄' (This is my savings), they are referring to a specific pile of money. You can start to associate it with the verb '存钱' (cún qián). It's helpful to know that '积蓄' is usually a good thing—it represents safety and having enough money for later. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but recognizing it in simple stories about people saving up for goals is a great step.

At the B1 level, you are moving toward intermediate proficiency where you can describe experiences, ambitions, and explain your opinions. '积蓄' becomes more relevant here as you discuss personal finance, work, and life goals. You should be able to use it as a noun in sentences like '我没有很多积蓄' (I don't have many savings). You'll notice it often appears with adjectives like '一点' (a little) or '很多' (a lot). You are also starting to see it in more varied contexts, such as '积蓄力量' (accumulating strength), though the financial meaning remains the most common. At B1, you should distinguish '积蓄' from just '钱' (money) because '积蓄' implies a history of saving, whereas '钱' could be any money you have in your pocket right now.

At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should use '积蓄' fluently and accurately. You understand the nuances that separate it from '存款' (bank deposits) and '积累' (accumulate). You can use it to talk about complex social issues, such as the high savings rate in China or the financial pressures of the middle class. You should be comfortable using common collocations like '动用积蓄' (to use one's savings) or '花光积蓄' (to spend all one's savings). You also understand its function as a verb in more formal or literary contexts. At this level, you can explain the emotional weight of '积蓄'—how it represents a lifetime of hard work and provides a sense of security (安全感). You can use it in both written essays and spoken debates about economy and lifestyle.

At the C1 level, you use '积蓄' with precision in professional and academic settings. You might use it when discussing macroeconomic trends, such as '国民积蓄' (national savings) or '资本积蓄' (capital accumulation). You are also aware of its more abstract and literary uses, such as '积蓄已久的情感' (long-repressed emotions) or '积蓄已久的矛盾' (long-accumulated contradictions). Your usage reflects an understanding of the word's formal register. You can use it to write sophisticated narratives where the loss or gain of '积蓄' serves as a major plot point, reflecting a character's social status or personal struggle. You also understand the subtle differences between '积蓄,' '储备' (reserves), and '囤积' (hoarding).

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '积蓄.' You can use it in highly idiomatic ways and understand its nuances in classical-style modern prose. You might explore the philosophical implications of '积蓄'—the idea of storing up merit, energy, or potential. You can effortlessly switch between its noun and verb forms to create rhythmic and elegant sentences. You are familiar with how the word has been used in Chinese literature to describe the resilience and frugality of the people. In high-level economic or sociological discourse, you can use '积蓄' to discuss the structural reasons behind saving behaviors in different cultures. Your mastery allows you to use the word not just as a financial term, but as a tool to describe the gathering of any potential force that is waiting to be unleashed.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

积蓄 in 30 Seconds

积蓄 (jīxù) is a noun meaning 'savings,' emphasizing long-term accumulation and financial security.
It can also function as a verb meaning 'to store up' or 'accumulate' energy or strength.
Commonly used in contexts like buying a house, retirement, or dealing with emergencies.
Key collocations include '一辈子的积蓄' (lifetime savings) and '动用积蓄' (to use savings).

The Chinese word 积蓄 (jīxù) is a sophisticated term that primarily functions as a noun referring to 'savings' or 'accumulated funds.' While English speakers might simply say 'savings,' 积蓄 carries a weight of time and effort. It implies money that has been painstakingly gathered over a long period, often with a specific purpose in mind, such as buying a home, providing for retirement, or handling an emergency. Linguistically, it is composed of two characters: 积 (jī), meaning to amass or pile up, and 蓄 (xù), meaning to store or save. Together, they paint a picture of a slow, steady process of accumulation, much like water filling a reservoir drop by drop.

Noun Usage: In its most common form, it refers to the total amount of money a person has saved. For example, '他花光了所有的积蓄' (He spent all his savings).
Verb Usage: Though less common in modern colloquial speech than the noun form, it can act as a verb meaning 'to accumulate' or 'to store up,' often applied to energy, strength, or emotions as well as money.

这笔钱是他多年的积蓄，他一直舍不得花。(This money is his savings from many years; he has always been reluctant to spend it.)

In Chinese society, the concept of 积蓄 is deeply tied to the traditional value of 勤俭 (qínjiǎn)—thrift and hard work. Having a substantial 积蓄 is often seen as a sign of responsibility and financial maturity. It provides a 'safety net' (安全感) in a culture that historically emphasizes family self-reliance. When you use this word, you aren't just talking about the balance in a bank account; you are talking about the fruit of someone's labor and their security for the future.

为了供孩子上大学，他们拿出了家里全部的积蓄。(To support their child going to university, they took out all the family's savings.)

Furthermore, 积蓄 can describe non-monetary things in more literary contexts. You might hear about '积蓄力量' (accumulating strength) before a big challenge or '积蓄情感' (building up emotion) in a story. This versatility makes it a powerful word for B2 learners to master, as it bridges the gap between everyday financial talk and more abstract, expressive Chinese.

Social Context: In modern China, discussing one's 积蓄 is common in family meetings regarding major purchases like real estate, which often requires 'six pockets' (parents and grandparents from both sides) to contribute their 积蓄.

他把每月的工资存起来，慢慢积蓄起一笔不小的财富。(He saves his monthly salary, slowly accumulating a considerable amount of wealth.)

Using 积蓄 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both a noun and a verb, though its noun usage is more prevalent in the CEFR B2 level context. As a noun, it often follows possessive pronouns or descriptive adjectives that indicate the duration or source of the money.

As a Noun (Direct Object): It frequently follows verbs like '花光' (spend all), '动用' (draw upon), or '拿出' (take out). Example: '我们不得不动用多年的积蓄来修理房子。' (We had to draw upon years of savings to repair the house.)

他的全部积蓄都在这次投资中亏掉了。(All his savings were lost in this investment.)

When functioning as a verb, 积蓄 describes the process of accumulation. It is often followed by a noun like '力量' (strength), '经验' (experience), or '钱财' (wealth). In this sense, it is synonymous with '积累' (jīlěi), but with a slight emphasis on 'storing' rather than just 'adding up.'

As a Verb (Action): Example: '他在工作中不断积蓄经验。' (He is constantly accumulating experience in his work.) Note how the action is gradual and intentional.

冬天的树木正在积蓄能量，等待春天的到来。(Trees in winter are storing up energy, waiting for the arrival of spring.)

It is also common to see 积蓄 modified by time-related phrases. Phrases like '一辈子的积蓄' (a lifetime of savings) or '多年的积蓄' (many years' savings) are standard collocations that emphasize the emotional and temporal investment involved. This makes the word particularly useful in narratives or discussions about life milestones.

这一笔积蓄对他们来说非常重要。(This sum of savings is very important to them.)

Negative Contexts: Commonly used when someone has 'no savings' (没有积蓄) or has 'exhausted' them (积蓄耗尽). This often implies a state of financial vulnerability.

他失业了，而且手头没有任何积蓄。(He lost his job and has no savings on hand.)

You will encounter 积蓄 in a variety of real-life settings in China, ranging from intimate family conversations to formal financial news. It is a word that bridges the gap between the personal and the professional. In a family setting, parents might discuss their 积蓄 when planning for their children's education abroad or when considering buying a new apartment. It's a word that carries a sense of 'the family pot' of money.

In the Media: Financial news reports often use 积蓄 to discuss the saving habits of the Chinese population. Phrases like '居民积蓄' (resident savings) appear when analyzing consumption patterns or economic stability. It sounds more formal than '存的钱' (saved money).

随着物价上涨，很多人的积蓄正在缩水。(With rising prices, many people's savings are shrinking.)

In literature and television dramas (especially those focused on urban life and family struggles), 积蓄 is a keyword. Characters often agonize over spending their 'hard-earned savings' (辛苦积蓄的钱) on medical bills or unexpected disasters. This usage highlights the word's emotional resonance—it represents security and the avoidance of risk.

现在的年轻人很少有积蓄，大多是“月光族”。(Young people nowadays rarely have savings; most are 'moonlight clan'—those who spend their entire salary every month.)

Workplace environments also utilize the verbal form. A manager might tell a team that they need to '积蓄力量' before the next big product launch. This implies a period of quiet preparation and resource gathering. In this context, it's about strategic patience.

Medical/Emergency Settings: In hospitals, you might hear families discussing if their 积蓄 is enough to cover a major surgery. Here, the word takes on a heavy, urgent tone.

为了治病，他花掉了家里所有的积蓄。(To treat the illness, he spent all of the family's savings.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English learners make is confusing 积蓄 (jīxù) with 存款 (cúnkuǎn). While both can be translated as 'savings,' they are not always interchangeable. 存款 refers specifically to money deposited in a bank account. 积蓄 is broader; it includes any money saved, whether it's in a bank, under a mattress, or invested in gold. Moreover, 积蓄 has a stronger connotation of the 'act of saving over time.'

Mistake 1: Using it as a count noun: Incorrect: '我有三个积蓄' (I have three savings). Correct: '我有三笔积蓄' (I have three sums of savings) or simply '我有一些积蓄'.

错误：他每个月积蓄一百块。(Incorrect: He 'savings' 100 yuan every month.) 正确：他每个月存一百块。(Correct: He 'saves' 100 yuan every month.)

Mistake 2: Using it for small, daily savings. 积蓄 usually implies a significant or long-term amount. If you just saved 5 dollars from your lunch money today, you wouldn't call it your '积蓄.' You would just say '省下的钱' (money saved/left over). Using 积蓄 for trivial amounts sounds overly dramatic or grammatically slightly off.

Mistake 3: Confusing it with 积累 (jīlěi). While both mean to accumulate, 积累 is much more common for abstract things like knowledge, experience, or problems. 积蓄 is more specific to physical things (money, energy, strength) that are 'stored' for later use. You '积累经验' (accumulate experience), but you '积蓄力量' (store up strength/energy).

Mistake 4: Pronunciation: The second character '蓄' is pronounced 'xù' (fourth tone). Some learners mispronounce it as 'chù' or 'xǔ.' Clear pronunciation is key to being understood in financial contexts.

不要把所有的积蓄都放在同一个篮子里。(Don't put all your savings in one basket.)

To truly master 积蓄, you must see how it fits into the ecosystem of Chinese financial and accumulation vocabulary. There are several words that are close in meaning but differ in register and nuance.

积蓄 vs. 存款 (cúnkuǎn): 存款 is 'bank deposit.' It is a technical term. 积蓄 is 'savings' in a broader, more personal sense. You can have 积蓄 that aren't 存款 (like cash at home).
积蓄 vs. 储蓄 (chǔxù): 储蓄 is often used as a formal noun for 'savings' in an economic sense (e.g., 储蓄率 - savings rate) or as a verb meaning 'to save money' in a formal context. 积蓄 is more common in daily speech to refer to the money itself.
积蓄 vs. 积累 (jīlěi): 积累 is 'to accumulate.' It's used for abstract concepts like 经验 (experience), 知识 (knowledge), or 财富 (wealth). 积蓄 is more about the 'storing' aspect of the accumulated items.

他通过多年的努力，积累了丰富的经验，也存下了一笔积蓄。(Through years of hard work, he accumulated rich experience and also saved up a sum of savings.)

In informal settings, people might use simpler terms like '存的钱' (money that was saved) or '余钱' (extra/spare money). However, using 积蓄 shows a higher level of linguistic proficiency and conveys the seriousness of the funds. For example, '养老金' (yǎnglǎojīn) refers specifically to retirement funds, which are a form of 积蓄, but 积蓄 is the more general category.

虽然他工资不高，但因为生活节俭，还是有一些积蓄。(Although his salary isn't high, because he lives frugally, he still has some savings.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, wealth wasn't measured in paper money but in the '积' (pile) of grain in one's granary. The character '积' contains the '禾' (grain) radical.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒiː ɕyː/

US /dʒi ʃu/

First syllable 'jī' is high and level (1st tone). Second syllable 'xù' is falling (4th tone).

Rhymes With

继续 (jìxù) 叙述 (xùshù) 秩序 (zhìxù) 储蓄 (chǔxù) 教育 (jiàoyù) 机遇 (jīyù) 赋予 (fùyǔ) 荣誉 (róngyù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xù' as 'chù'.
Using the 3rd tone for 'jī' (jǐ).
Confusing 'xù' with 'xǔ' (3rd tone).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 7/5

The characters are somewhat complex but common in news and literature.

Writing 8/5

Writing '积' and '蓄' requires attention to stroke order and radicals.

Speaking 6/5

Pronouncing 'xù' correctly is the main challenge.

Listening 6/5

Easily recognized in contexts of money or planning.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

钱存银行多买

Learn Next

投资理财贬值通货膨胀资产

Advanced

储备囤积筹措募集汇款

Grammar to Know

Measure words for money

一笔积蓄 (A sum of savings)

Potential complement with verbs of spending

积蓄花得光 (Can spend all the savings)

The 'Ba' construction for disposal

他把积蓄存进了银行。

Adjectives modifying nouns

丰厚的积蓄 (Substantial savings)

Verb-Object compounds

积蓄力量 (To accumulate strength)

Examples by Level

我有积蓄。

I have savings.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

这是他的积蓄。

This is his savings.

Using '这是' to identify the noun.

积蓄是钱。

Savings are money.

Defining a word with '是'.

他没有积蓄。

He doesn't have savings.

Negation with '没有'.

我喜欢存积蓄。

I like to save savings (accumulate savings).

Using '喜欢' + verb + noun.

积蓄多吗？

Are there many savings?

Simple question with '吗'.

他有很多积蓄。

He has a lot of savings.

Using '很多' as an adjective.

我要积蓄。

I want savings.

Expressing desire with '要'.

我为了买车存了一些积蓄。

I saved some savings to buy a car.

'为了... (purpose)' structure.

他的积蓄都在银行里。

All his savings are in the bank.

Locative phrase '在...里'.

这点积蓄不够买房子。

This little savings is not enough to buy a house.

'不够' (not enough) + verb.

你有很多积蓄吗？

Do you have a lot of savings?

Direct question about quantity.

他把积蓄给妈妈了。

He gave his savings to his mother.

'把' construction for disposal.

我每个月存一点积蓄。

I save a little bit of savings every month.

Adverbial of time '每个月'.

她的积蓄丢了。

Her savings are lost.

Simple past/change of state with '了'.

这些积蓄很有用。

These savings are very useful.

Adjective phrase '很有用'.

虽然他很年轻，但已经有一笔不小的积蓄了。

Although he is young, he already has a considerable sum of savings.

'虽然...但...' (Although... but...) structure.

我们应该为未来准备一些积蓄。

We should prepare some savings for the future.

Using '应该' (should) for advice.

他动用了所有的积蓄来开公司。

He used all his savings to start a company.

'动用' (to draw upon/use) + noun.

没有积蓄的生活让人感到不安。

Life without savings makes one feel uneasy.

Noun phrase as a subject.

她把多年的积蓄都花在旅游上了。

She spent all her years of savings on traveling.

'花在...上' (spend on) structure.

这笔积蓄是他辛苦攒下来的。

This sum of savings was saved up by him with hard work.

'攒下来' (to save up) as a resultative verb.

你需要多少积蓄才能退休？

How much savings do you need to retire?

'才能' (only then can) structure.

他把积蓄分成两部分：一部分投资，一部分存银行。

He divided his savings into two parts: one for investment, one for the bank.

Using '分成' (divide into).

由于突发意外，他多年的积蓄几乎耗尽了。

Due to a sudden accident, his years of savings were almost exhausted.

'由于' (due to) and '几乎' (almost).

他正在为明年的出国深造积蓄力量。

He is accumulating strength (preparing) for further studies abroad next year.

Verbal use: '积蓄力量' (accumulate strength).

这笔积蓄是他们全家人的安全保障。

This sum of savings is the security guarantee for their whole family.

Noun as a 'security guarantee'.

他不仅有丰厚的积蓄，还有多项投资。

He not only has substantial savings but also has multiple investments.

'不仅...还...' (not only... but also).

通货膨胀导致人们的积蓄贬值。

Inflation causes people's savings to depreciate.

'导致' (lead to/cause) + noun + verb.

为了给孩子治病，他不得不卖掉房子并动用积蓄。

To treat his child's illness, he had to sell the house and draw on his savings.

'不得不' (have no choice but to).

他是一个非常有计划的人，每月的积蓄都很稳定。

He is a very planned person; his monthly savings are very stable.

Describing stability with '稳定'.

这笔积蓄见证了他十年的奋斗历程。

This sum of savings witnessed his ten-year struggle.

'见证' (witness) as a metaphorical verb.

国民的高积蓄率在一定程度上支撑了国家的经济增长。

The high national savings rate has, to some extent, supported the country's economic growth.

Formal economic terminology.

他在沉默中积蓄着反击的能量。

He is accumulating the energy for a counterattack in silence.

Abstract verbal usage with '能量'.

这笔积蓄不仅是物质财富，更是他自律精神的体现。

This sum of savings is not only material wealth but also an embodiment of his spirit of self-discipline.

Philosophical '不仅是...更是...' structure.

随着社会保障体系的完善，人们动用个人积蓄的压力有所减轻。

With the improvement of the social security system, the pressure on people to use personal savings has lessened.

'随着' (with/along with) structure.

他那积蓄已久的怒火终于爆发了。

His long-accumulated anger finally erupted.

Metaphorical use for emotions.

在资本原始积蓄阶段，许多人付出了沉重的代价。

In the stage of primitive capital accumulation, many people paid a heavy price.

Academic term '原始积蓄' (primitive accumulation).

他把一辈子的积蓄都捐给了慈善机构。

He donated a lifetime of savings to a charitable institution.

Focus on the 'lifetime' aspect.

企业在淡季应当积蓄实力，以备旺季之需。

Enterprises should accumulate strength during the off-season to prepare for the needs of the peak season.

Business strategy context.

这种深厚的文化积蓄是民族复兴的根基。

This profound cultural accumulation is the foundation of national rejuvenation.

Highly abstract use for 'culture'.

他在长期的隐居生活中，积蓄了深邃的思想。

During his long period of seclusion, he accumulated profound thoughts.

Literary use for 'thoughts'.

这并非一日之功，而是数十年如一日积蓄的结果。

This is not the work of a day, but the result of decades of consistent accumulation.

Using '并非...而是...' (not... but rather...).

他的文字中积蓄着一种惊人的爆发力。

His writing stores an astonishing explosive power.

Literary criticism context.

在这个动荡的时代，积蓄似乎成了唯一的避风港。

In this turbulent era, savings seem to have become the only safe haven.

Sociological/Philosophical observation.

他的一生都在为他人积蓄，而自己却一无所有。

He spent his whole life accumulating for others, while he himself had nothing.

Irony and contrast.

历史的积蓄往往在不经意间改变了文明的走向。

The accumulation of history often changes the course of civilization inadvertently.

Grand historical context.

我们应当在年轻时积蓄智慧，而非仅仅是金钱。

We should accumulate wisdom when young, not just money.

Moral exhortation.

Common Collocations

一辈子的积蓄

动用积蓄

花光积蓄

积蓄力量

没有任何积蓄

丰厚的积蓄

多年的积蓄

耗尽积蓄

微薄的积蓄

个人积蓄

Common Phrases

积蓄已久

— Accumulated for a long time. Often used for emotions or problems.

积蓄已久的矛盾爆发了。

微薄积蓄

— Very small amount of savings. Emphasizes poverty or struggle.

他仅靠那点微薄积蓄度日。

积蓄实力

— To build up one's strength or resources. Common in competition.

我们在淡季积蓄实力。

倾其积蓄

— To give or use all of one's savings. Very formal.

他倾其积蓄资助学生。

毫无积蓄

— To have absolutely no savings at all.

他工作多年却毫无积蓄。

积蓄财富

— To accumulate wealth over time.

勤劳是积蓄财富的途径。

积蓄能量

— To store up energy, literally or figuratively.

电池正在积蓄能量。

家庭积蓄

— The collective savings of a family unit.

家庭积蓄需要合理规划。

辛苦积蓄

— Savings earned through hard work and pain.

这些是他的辛苦积蓄。

积蓄点滴

— To save up bit by bit.

积蓄点滴，终成大业。

Often Confused With

积蓄 vs 继续 (jìxù)

Sounds similar but means 'to continue'. Check the tones (4-4 vs 1-4).

积蓄 vs 存储 (cúnchǔ)

Usually refers to digital storage (data) or physical storage of goods.

积蓄 vs 积攒 (jīzǎn)

A verb meaning to save up bit by bit, more colloquial than 积蓄.

Idioms & Expressions

"厚积薄发"

— To accumulate deeply and release slowly. To be well-prepared.

他多年钻研，终于厚积薄发。

Literary

"积少成多"

— Small amounts add up to a lot. Encouraging saving.

每天存一块钱，积少成多。

Common

"未雨绸缪"

— To prepare for a rainy day. Often involves saving.

我们应未雨绸缪，多存积蓄。

Formal

"坐吃山空"

— To sit and eat until the mountain is empty (to spend without earning).

如果不工作，积蓄也会坐吃山空。

Common

"开源节流"

— To increase income and decrease expenditure.

开源节流才能增加积蓄。

Formal

"勤俭持家"

— To manage a household with industry and thrift.

她靠勤俭持家攒下不少积蓄。

Traditional

"囊空如洗"

— Pockets empty as if washed (totally broke).

他现在囊空如洗，毫无积蓄。

Literary

"家徒四壁"

— Only four walls in the house (extremely poor).

他家徒四壁，更别提积蓄了。

Literary

"腰缠万贯"

— Having ten thousand strings of coins around the waist (very wealthy).

他虽然腰缠万贯，但生活简朴。

Literary

"入不敷出"

— Income does not cover expenditure.

最近入不敷出，只能动用积蓄。

Formal

Easily Confused

积蓄 vs 存款

Both mean savings.

存款 is specifically in the bank; 积蓄 is general.

我的存款在银行，我的积蓄包括这金条。

积蓄 vs 积累

Both mean accumulate.

积累 is for abstract skills; 积蓄 is for resources/money.

积累经验，积蓄金钱。

积蓄 vs 储蓄

Both mean savings.

储蓄 is more formal/economic; 积蓄 is more personal.

邮政储蓄银行 vs. 我的个人积蓄。

积蓄 vs 储备

Both mean store up.

储备 is for strategic reserves (grain, oil); 积蓄 is for personal money.

国家粮食储备。

积蓄 vs 积攒

Both mean save.

积攒 is the action (verb); 积蓄 is usually the result (noun).

他积攒了很久，才有了这些积蓄。

Sentence Patterns

虽然...但还是有一些积蓄。

虽然他工资低，但还是有一些积蓄。

把...积蓄都花在了...上。

他把所有的积蓄都花在了旅游上。

动用多年的积蓄来...

动用多年的积蓄来买车。

积蓄已久的...终于...

积蓄已久的怨气终于爆发了。

我有/没有积蓄。

我没有积蓄。

为了...存积蓄。

为了上学存积蓄。

并非...而是长期积蓄的结果。

成功并非偶然，而是长期积蓄的结果。

靠着积蓄过日子。

失业后，他靠着积蓄过日子。

Word Family

Nouns

积蓄 (savings)

积累 (accumulation)

积木 (building blocks)

Verbs

积蓄 (to accumulate)

积累 (to accumulate)

蓄水 (to store water)

积攒 (to save bit by bit)

Adjectives

蓄意的 (intentional)

积压的 (backlogged)

存款

储蓄

财富

金钱

力量

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using 积蓄 as a simple verb for saving a small amount. → 我存了五块钱。
积蓄 implies a more significant or long-term accumulation.
Confusing 积蓄 (jīxù) with 继续 (jìxù). → 我有很多积蓄；请继续说。
One is a noun (savings), the other is a verb (continue).
Using '个' as a measure word. → 一笔积蓄
'笔' is the standard measure word for sums of money.
Writing '蓄' without the grass radical. → 积蓄
The character '蓄' must have '艹' on top.
Saying '积累钱'. → 积蓄钱 or 存钱
积累 is usually for abstract things like experience.

Tips

Noun vs Verb

At B2 level, focus on 积蓄 as a noun. Use it with '动用' (use) or '花光' (spend).

Safety First

In China, 积蓄 is synonymous with '安全感' (sense of security). Mention this in essays.

Stroke Order

The '蓄' character has 13 strokes. Practice the bottom part '畜' carefully.

Tone Mastery

Don't drop the 4th tone on 'xù'. It should sound sharp and decisive.

Bank Context

If you are at a bank, '存款' is more common for technical transactions.

Synonym Choice

Use '积累' for knowledge and '积蓄' for money/energy.

News Reports

Listen for '居民积蓄' in economic reports to understand saving trends.

Idiom Link

Connect 积蓄 with the idiom '积少成多' (many mickles make a muckle).

Budgeting

Talking about 积蓄 is a great way to practice financial vocabulary in Chinese.

HSK 5

This word frequently appears in HSK 5 (B2) reading comprehension.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ji' as 'Just' and 'Xu' as 'Save'. Just save! Or imagine 'Ji' is a 'pile' and 'Xu' is a 'box'. You pile things into a box to keep them.

Visual Association

Imagine a squirrel storing nuts (积蓄) for the winter. Each nut is a small coin.

Word Web

钱银行未来存努力安全家庭买房

Challenge

Try to write a sentence using '积蓄' as a noun and '积累' as a verb in the same paragraph.

Word Origin

The word is composed of '积' (jī) and '蓄' (xù). '积' originally referred to the piling up of grain during harvest. '蓄' originally meant to store grass or fodder for animals. Together, they evolved to mean storing any resource for future use.

Original meaning: Amassing and storing agricultural products.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking people about their 积蓄; it is a very private matter in Chinese culture, much like in the West.

In the West, 'savings' often refers to a bank account or a 401k. In China, 积蓄 is more holistic, including cash, gold, and family-held funds.

Commonly discussed in Chinese 'Family Dramas' (家庭剧). Central theme in the novel 'To Live' (活着) regarding survival and resources. Economic reports on 'Excess Savings' (超额储蓄) in China.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Bank

我想查询我的积蓄。
这笔积蓄有利息吗？
转入积蓄账户。
动用定期积蓄。

Family Discussion

我们的积蓄够买房吗？
这是我给孩子存的积蓄。
别乱花积蓄。
我们要节俭，多留点积蓄。

Job Interview

我在这份工作中积蓄了经验。
公司正在积蓄实力。
我们需要积蓄人才。
为未来积蓄能量。

Emergency

我得动用积蓄了。
积蓄已经花光了。
幸好还有点积蓄。
没有积蓄怎么办？

Economic News

居民积蓄率上升。
积蓄缩水严重。
刺激积蓄转化为消费。
社会积蓄总量。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得年轻人应该存多少积蓄才安全？"

"在你的国家，人们习惯把积蓄放在哪里？"

"如果你有一笔巨大的积蓄，你会怎么花？"

"为了买房动用父母的积蓄，你认为合适吗？"

"你是“月光族”还是喜欢存积蓄的人？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你为了实现某个目标而存积蓄的经历。

讨论一下在中国文化中“积蓄”的重要性。

如果你的所有积蓄突然消失了，你会怎么办？

你认为“积蓄知识”和“积蓄金钱”哪个更重要？

谈谈通货膨胀是如何影响普通人积蓄的。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Primarily yes, but it can be used for energy, strength, or emotions in literary contexts.

It's better to use '存钱' for the action of saving money. '积蓄' is usually the noun 'savings'.

The most common measure word is '笔' (bǐ), as in '一笔积蓄'.

It is neutral to slightly formal. It's used in daily life but also in news reports.

The tones and meanings are different. 积蓄 (jīxù) is savings; 继续 (jìxù) is continue.

Yes, meaning to accumulate, e.g., '积蓄力量'.

Yes, '月光族' refers to people who spend their whole salary every month and have no savings.

You say '一辈子的积蓄' (yī bèi zi de jī xù).

Yes, often referring to a person's initial capital or a company's reserves.

Yes, that is a very common way to say 'a lot of savings'.