Translation guide
To reduce spending, use less of something, or avoid waste. In Japanese, this is expressed through verbs like 節約する (save money/resources), 倹約する (be frugal), or 省く (cut down/omit). The best choice depends on what is being economized and the nuance of thriftiness versus simply cutting back.
To spend less money, often by being careful or cutting unnecessary costs.
The most common and general verb for economizing, especially with money or resources. Can be used in daily life.
電気代を節約するために、エアコンをあまり使わない。
I don't use the air conditioner much to economize on electricity bills.
毎月少しずつ節約して、旅行に行く。
I economize a little each month and go on a trip.
Emphasizes frugality and thrift as a lifestyle or virtue. Slightly more formal than 節約する.
母はいつも倹約して、家族のためにお金を貯めている。
My mother always economizes and saves money for the family.
To cut down or tighten one's budget, often implying a reduction from a previous level. Used for household or business expenses.
収入が減ったので、生活費を切り詰めなければならない。
Since my income decreased, I have to economize on living expenses.
Literally 'eliminate waste'. Used when economizing by cutting out unnecessary spending or consumption.
無駄を省いて、もっと貯金しよう。
Let's economize by cutting out waste and save more money.
To be efficient or reduce consumption of something other than money, like time, space, or effort.
Also used for non-monetary resources like time, water, or energy.
時間を節約するために、近道を通った。
I took a shortcut to economize on time.
水を節約して使ってください。
Please economize on water usage.
To omit or skip something in order to save time, effort, or space. Often used when you can do without something.
To make more efficient, often in a business or technical context. Implies streamlining processes to save resources.
業務を効率化して、残業を減らした。
We economized on work processes and reduced overtime.
To use something sparingly or not excessively, often in a figurative sense.
To refrain from using too much of something; to be moderate. The object is marked with を.
彼は言葉を控えて、静かに聞いていた。
He economized on words and listened quietly.
Can be used humorously or metaphorically for things like words or praise.
彼は褒め言葉を節約することで有名だ。
He is famous for economizing on compliments.
節約する is the everyday word for saving money or resources. 倹約する implies a more deliberate, often long-term frugality and can sound slightly old-fashioned or formal. Use 節約する in most situations.
節約して新しいスマホを買った。
I economized and bought a new smartphone.
彼女は倹約家だ。
She is a thrifty person.
English 'economize' can often be replaced by more specific verbs in Japanese. For example, 'economize on space' might be スペースを有効活用する (use space effectively) rather than a direct translation. Always consider what is being saved and choose the most natural collocation.
Let's economize on explanations and get straight to the point.