Meanings of 俭
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About 俭
Podcast: 俭
Podcast: 俭
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AI Study Notes for 俭
节约 (jiéyuē) - use 俭 (jiǎn) when emphasizing moral virtue in frugality, while 节约 focuses more on the act of saving resources.
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.
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.
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).
Pronunciation of 俭
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Jason Explains 俭 to You
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Learning Lab
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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.
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Etymology of 俭
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 儉.
person
Origin
俭 = 亻 + 佥. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 俭
Parts
Which of these is part of 俭?
How to say frugal in Chinese
“frugal” in Chinese is俭
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
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Practice writing 俭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
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“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)
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Word Family of 俭
Words with 俭
What does 节俭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 俭
You can say '他很俭省' (Tā hěn jiǎnshěng), meaning 'He is very thrifty'.
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