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俭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
俭
jiǎn
frugal
ag, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #56393, Very Hard
俭
jiǎn
thrifty
ag, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #56393, Very Hard
俭
jiǎn
needy
ag, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #56393, Very Hard
俭
jiǎn
temperate, frugal, economical
ag, 9 strokes, radical 亻, rank #56393, Very Hard
jiǎn(jian3)jian T3
1frugal
2thrifty
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
俭(儉)jiǎn(jian3)
The character 俭 (jiǎn) signifies frugality or thriftiness, often associated with the careful management of resources. It is commonly used in contexts discussing financial prudence, minimalist lifestyles, or the virtue of moderation in consumption. The nuance of this word can also imply a positive moral quality, reflecting self-restraint and simplicity.
Strokes9Radical亻Frequency#56393DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, frugality is often seen as a virtue, reflecting Confucian values of moderation and respect for resources. This is evident in traditional sayings that advocate for saving and careful consumption.
Memory tip
Imagine a wise old man (the radical 人, meaning 'person') counting coins carefully while sitting on a small wooden chair (the radical 椅). He embodies the essence of 俭 (jiǎn), as he knows the value of saving and being frugal, ensuring he has enough for the future.
Meanings of 俭
jiǎn(jian3)
1frugal
2thrifty
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 俭 means.
About 俭
俭Simplified
儉Traditional
9Strokes
亻Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#56393Frequency Rank
Podcast: 俭
Podcast: 俭
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AI study notes for 俭
Quick Contrast
节约 (jiéyuē) - use 俭 (jiǎn) when emphasizing moral virtue in frugality, while 节约 focuses more on the act of saving resources.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 俭 with similar-sounding words like 简 (jiǎn), which means 'simple'. It's important to note that 俭 is more about economic behavior, while 简 relates to simplicity in form or style. This character is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of its positive connotation in discussions about lifestyle choices.
HSK Study Tips
While 俭 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other HSK Level 3 words related to personal finance, such as 钱 (qián, 'money') and 省 (shěng, 'to save'). Focus on understanding its usage in contexts discussing budgeting or lifestyle choices.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 俭 with 便宜 (piányí, 'cheap'), mistakenly using 俭 to describe low prices instead of frugality in spending habits. For example, saying '这件衣服很俭' (This piece of clothing is very thrifty) is incorrect; it should be '这件衣服很便宜' (This piece of clothing is very cheap).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 俭
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 俭 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
俭 = 亻 + 佥. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 俭
IDS Structure⿰亻佥
俭Full character
=
亻ren2
left
佥qian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 俭?
How to say frugal in Chinese
“frugal” in Chinese is俭jiǎn
The character 俭 (jiǎn) signifies frugality or thriftiness, often associated with the careful management of resources. It is commonly used in contexts discussing financial prudence, minimalist lifestyles, or the virtue of moderation in consumption. The nuance of this word can also imply a positive moral quality, reflecting self-restraint and simplicity.
When to use 俭
Learners often confuse 俭 with similar-sounding words like 简 (jiǎn), which means 'simple'. It's important to note that 俭 is more about economic behavior, while 简 relates to simplicity in form or style. This character is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of its positive connotation in discussions about lifestyle choices.
俭 or something close to it
节约 (jiéyuē) - use 俭 (jiǎn) when emphasizing moral virtue in frugality, while 节约 focuses more on the act of saving resources.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 俭 with 便宜 (piányí, 'cheap'), mistakenly using 俭 to describe low prices instead of frugality in spending habits. For example, saying '这件衣服很俭' (This piece of clothing is very thrifty) is incorrect; it should be '这件衣服很便宜' (This piece of clothing is very cheap).
Write 俭
俭
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Practice writing 俭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 俭
俭 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
“墨西哥的烹调注重____省，”她说，“任何东西都不会浪费。”
Mexican cookery is economical, she says. Nothing goes to waste.
Example sentences for 俭 (5)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
“墨西哥的烹调注重俭省，”她说，“任何东西都不会浪费。”
“ mò xī gē de pēngtiáo zhùzhòng jiǎn shěng，” tā shuō，“ rènhé dōngxi dōu bù huì làngfèi。”
Mexican cookery is economical, she says. Nothing goes to waste.
