節約する
setsuyaku suru
To save money in Japanese is to say 節約する (setsuyaku suru).
節約する is used when the focus is on the act of reducing spending or being economical with resources. It refers to the practice of reducing the amount of money spent by being careful with expenses.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is formed by adding the verb する (suru, to do) to the noun 節約 (setsuyaku), which means economy, saving or frugality.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between two different ways to express saving money. Use 節約する when you mean being frugal or cutting expenses.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is constructed by attaching the verb する to the noun 節約.
How do you pronounce it?
setsuyaku suru
Did you know?
- The kanji 節 in 節約する originally refers to a 'joint' or 'knuckle' of a bamboo stalk. This implies the idea of creating a necessary break or limit to stop a flow from continuing indefinitely.
- Japanese culture often emphasizes 'mottainai' (a sense of regret over waste), which is the underlying cultural philosophy that drives the practice of 節約する.
- While 節約する (setsuyaku suru) focuses on frugality, if you want to say you are 'saving' money in a bank account, you must use the verb 貯金する (chokin suru).
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their monthly budget at home.
- 美咲 Misaki来月はもっと節約するべきだね。raigetsu wa motto setsuyaku suru beki da ne.We should save more money next month.
- 蓮 Renそうだね、外食を減らそう。sou da ne, gaishoku o herasou.You're right, let's reduce eating out.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くん、自炊も頑張ろうね。ren-kun, jisui mo ganbarou ne.Ren, let's work hard on cooking at home too.
- 蓮 Renわかった、節約するよ。wakatta, setsuyaku suru yo.Got it, I will save money.
