储蓄 (chǔ xù) — (verb) to save money, to deposit money; (noun) savings

Definition

储蓄 emphasizes putting money aside over time, especially regular bank deposits. Use it for personal money-saving; 储备 is for reserves or supplies.

verb
to save moneyto deposit money
noun
savings

Examples

  • 储蓄
    Wǒ měi gè yuè dōu chǔ xù yí bù fen gōng zī.
    I save a portion of my salary every month.
  • 储蓄
    Tā de chǔ xù bú gòu mǎi fáng.
    His savings are not enough to buy a house.
  • 储蓄
    Tā xǐ huan bǎ qián chǔ xù zài yín háng.
    She likes to deposit money in the bank.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

accumulate

储 means to save, and 蓄 means to accumulate, so together they stress keeping money or goods for later.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 儲; 储 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
zhūchǔ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 儲 uses 人 as a person part and 諸 for sound. This describes 儲, not the simplified 储.

Open 储 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full ascǎograss, plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
chù
Same sound today

The top 艹 shows plants, and the lower 畜 gives the sound; the character is about cultivating plants and storing grain.

Open 蓄 →

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