Translation guide
To accumulate money or resources over time for a specific purpose. Japanese uses different verbs depending on whether you are saving money, points, or other things, and whether the focus is on the act of saving or the result of having saved.
To set aside money regularly for a future goal or purchase.
The most common and general verb for saving money. It implies putting money into a bank account or piggy bank.
I save up a little bit every month.
I'm saving up for a trip.
A more casual verb meaning 'to accumulate' or 'to save up'. Often used for money, but can also be used for points or other things.
I want to save up money and buy a new car.
A common phrase using 貯める. Note that お金 (money) is often explicitly stated.
He is saving up money to buy a house.
To accumulate points, miles, or other loyalty rewards.
The standard verb for accumulating points or miles. Often used with ポイント (points) or マイル (miles).
I save up points and exchange them for prizes.
I saved up miles and got a free flight ticket.
To accumulate things like vacation days, energy, or other resources.
Can be used for non-monetary accumulation, such as saving up energy or vacation days.
I'm saving up my paid vacation days to go on a long trip.
A more formal or literary word meaning 'to store up' or 'to amass'. Often used for resources like food, energy, or knowledge.
To express that you have successfully saved up a certain amount or for a purpose.
Uses the intransitive verb たまる (to accumulate) to express that savings have built up. Often used when you've reached a goal.
I've finally saved up enough for the trip.
Casual way to say you've saved up money.
I've saved up some money, so I'm going to buy a new computer.
貯金する specifically means saving money, often in a bank. 貯める is more versatile and can be used for money, points, or other things. 貯める is slightly more casual.
The loanword セーブする means 'to save' in the sense of rescuing or conserving (e.g., saving a file, saving energy). It is not used for saving up money. Use 貯金する or 貯める instead.
They save up food in preparation for winter.