省 shěng province
province; to save; economize
How to remember 省: 少 few + 目 eye = province. From the plane window a few lights catch her eye, the only towns in the whole dark province.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
originally 生 + 目
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
省 = 少 few + 目 eye
- 少 few shape only
- 目 eye meaning
From the plane window a few lights catch her eye, the only towns in the whole dark province.
How it came to be
In the oracle bone form, the eye gives the meaning, to look closely, and the part on top the sound; that top part later turned into the shape for few.
How it is used
- Read shěng: to save/economize, and a province. 省钱 (shěng qián) save money, 节省 (jiéshěng) economize.
- 节省 (jiéshěng) is deliberate thrift; 省事 (shěngshì) = save trouble/hassle.
- Alt reading xǐng in 反省 (fǎnxǐng) = self-reflect/examine one's conscience: a totally different job.
Words with 省
Example sentences
- 广州是广东省的首府。 Guǎngzhōu shì Guǎngdōng Shěng de shǒufǔ.Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong province.