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.
毎月少しずつ貯金しています。
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.
お金を貯めて新しい車を買いたい。
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.
彼は家を買うためにお金を貯めている。
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).
ポイントを貯めて景品と交換する。
I save up points and exchange them for prizes.
マイルを貯めて無料航空券をもらった。
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.
有給休暇を貯めて長期旅行に行く。
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.
やっと旅行代金分の貯金がたまった。
I've finally saved up enough for the trip.
Casual way to say you've saved up money.
お金がたまったから、新しいパソコンを買う。
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.
冬に備えて食料を蓄える。
They save up food in preparation for winter.