Meanings of 省
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About 省
Podcast: 省
Podcast: 省
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AI Study Notes for 省
节省 (jiéshěng) vs 省略 (shěnglüè) — use 省 for general saving or economizing, while 节省 specifically emphasizes saving resources, and 省略 refers to omitting or leaving out something.
Imagine a wise old man (the character 省) sitting in a province, reflecting on his life while saving resources. The top part of the character resembles a person with a thoughtful expression, while the bottom part suggests the idea of a place or a region, reminding you of the connection to provinces.
Be careful not to confuse 省 with similar-sounding words, as context can change the meaning significantly. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing budget or family matters. Common collocations include 省钱 (shěng qián, to save money) and 省略 (shěnglüè, to omit).
As an HSK Level 4 word, 省 connects with other vocabulary around saving and economy, such as 钱 (qián, money) and 节省 (jiéshěng, to economize). Focus on using it in practical sentences to reinforce its meanings in different contexts.
In Chinese culture, visiting one's parents or elders is a sign of respect and filial piety, which is deeply valued. The use of 省 in this context highlights the importance of familial bonds and the act of caring for one's family.
Learners often confuse 省 with similar terms like 省略 (to omit) and mistakenly use it interchangeably. For example, saying '我省掉了这个' (Wǒ shěng diào le zhège) instead of '我省略了这个' (Wǒ shěnglüè le zhège) can lead to confusion regarding intention.
Pronunciation of 省
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Etymology of 省
Phonosemantic compound. 目 represents the meaning and 少 represents the sound.
division
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 省?
Decomposition of 省
Identify the Components
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Write 省
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Practice writing 省 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 省
省 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 16 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
为了____钱，我自己做饭。
To save money, I cook for myself.
Common Confusions with 省
Similar pronunciation, but different meanings.
省略 means to omit or leave out, while 省 can also refer to saving or economizing.
我们可以省略这部分内容。
省略 means to omit or leave out, while 省 can also refer to saving or economizing.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to save"?
Example Sentences for 省 (10)
Cultural Notes for 省
In Chinese culture, visiting one's parents or elders is a sign of respect and filial piety, which is deeply valued. The use of 省 in this context highlights the importance of familial bonds and the act of caring for one's family.
Word Family of 省
Compound Meaning
What does 省 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 省
While both 省 (shěng) and 节省 (jiéshěng) relate to saving, 省 is more general and can mean to save or omit, whereas 节省 specifically refers to economizing or conserving resources, often in a more deliberate context like saving energy or money. For example, '节省时间' (jiéshěng shíjiān) means 'to save time.'