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.
I don't use the air conditioner much to economize on electricity bills.
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.
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.
Since my income decreased, I have to economize on living expenses.
Literally 'eliminate waste'. Used when economizing by cutting out unnecessary spending or consumption.
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.
I took a shortcut to economize on time.
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.
To use something sparingly or not excessively, often in a figurative sense.
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.
I economized and bought a new smartphone.
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.
説明を省いて、すぐに本題に入りましょう。
Let's economize on explanations and get straight to the point.
We economized on work processes and reduced overtime.
He is famous for economizing on compliments.