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积蓄 (jī xù) — to save (money, resources); to put aside; to accumulate gradually; savings; something saved up

Definition

积蓄 emphasizes slow, gradual accumulation (money, strength, experience). Compare 储蓄 (formal, bank savings) and 积攒 (save up bit by bit, often small sums). 存款 is specifically bank deposits.

to save (money, resources)to put asideto accumulate graduallysavingssomething saved up

Examples

  • 积蓄。
    Tā měi gè yuè dōu jī xù yí bù fen gōng zī.
    He saves a portion of his salary every month.
  • 积蓄。
    Zhè xiē jī xù gòu tā mǎi yí liàng chē le.
    These savings are enough for him to buy a car.
  • 积蓄。
    Bǐ sài qián yào jī xù tǐ lì.
    You need to build up your strength before the competition.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

积jīaccumulate
蓄xùstore

“积” (accumulate) and “蓄” (store) both mean gathering and keeping something.

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 積; 积 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hé
Sound part声符shēngfú
責
責zé積jī
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 積 pairs 禾 (grain) with 責, which gives the sound; the simplified 积 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 积 →

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
艹Written in full as艸cǎograss, plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
畜
畜chù蓄xù
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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Finance & Banking

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