Definitions
(verb)
to save; to economize
(noun)
province
(verb)
to introspect; to examine (oneself)
About
The character "省" structurally combines "少" meaning few with "目" meaning eye, originally denoting the act of examining or inspecting with the eyes. From this core notion of scrutiny, the meaning expanded to include reducing or saving, as in economizing resources. During later imperial periods, the term was adopted for the administrative division of a province, likely originating from the concept of a territory subject to oversight. These shifts from visual examination to conservation and territorial designation chart the character's semantic evolution.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我来自湖南省。
我们要节省钱。
这个办法很省时间。
我经常反省自己。
为了省钱，他走路去上班。
广东省是中国的一个大省。
他通过节省开支来存钱。
父母希望子女常回家省亲。