保存 meaning in English
to conserve; to preserve; to keep; to store; (computing) to save (a file etc)
Meaning of 保存
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to conserve; to preserve; to keep; to store; (computing) to save (a file etc)
How to use 保存
保存 is used for keeping things in good condition over time, like food, documents, or cultural relics, and it is the standard word for saving a file on a computer. Example: 别忘了保存文件。(Bié wàng le bǎocún wénjiàn.) Don't forget to save the file.
保 (bǎo) means to protect and 存 (cún) means to keep or store. Put them together and you protect something so you can keep it, which is what 保存 means: to preserve or save.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 保存 with 保持 (bǎochí). 保存 is about storing or preserving a thing, like 保存照片, while 保持 is about maintaining a state, like 保持安静 (keep quiet), so 保存安静 is wrong.
保存 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
保 bǎo · to defend · 9 strokes
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存 cún · to exist · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 保存.
| 保护 | bǎohù | to protect; to defend |
| 保证 | bǎozhèng | guarantee; to guarantee |
| 保持 | bǎochí | to keep; to maintain |
| 存在 | cúnzài | to exist; to be |
| 确保 | quèbǎo | to ensure; to guarantee |
| 生存 | shēngcún | to exist; to survive |
| 保安 | bǎo'ān | to ensure public security; to ensure safety (for workers engaged in production) |
| 保险 | bǎoxiǎn | insurance; to insure |
| 保留 | bǎoliú | to keep; to retain |
| 环保 | huánbǎo | environmental protection; environmentally friendly |
| 保密 | bǎomì | to keep sth confidential; to maintain secrecy |
| 保守 | bǎoshǒu | conservative; to guard |
Questions about 保存
What does 保存 mean?
保存 (bǎocún) means "to conserve; to preserve; to keep; to store; (computing) to save (a file etc)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 保存?
保存 is made of 2 characters: 保 (9 strokes), 存 (6 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 保存 an HSK word?
Yes. 保存 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 保存 the same as 存 when saving money?
No. For money in a bank you say 存钱 (cún qián), not 保存钱. 保存 is for preserving objects, data, or records, not for depositing money.
How do I say a file was saved or not saved?
Use 保存了 for saved, as in 文件已经保存了 (wénjiàn yǐjīng bǎocún le), the file has been saved. For not saved, say 没有保存 (méiyǒu bǎocún).