jié节economizeyī衣clothingsuō缩reduceshí食food
To economize on clothing and food; to live frugally.
Literal meaning
economize (节) — clothing (衣) — reduce (缩) — food (食)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a lifestyle of thrift and austerity.
Examples
Wèi为le了gōng供hái孩zi子shàng上xué学，tā他men们jié节yī衣suō缩shí食。
In order to support their child's education, they lived frugally.
Zài在kùn困nan难shí时qí期，wǒ我men们yīng应gāi该jié节yī衣suō缩shí食。
In difficult times, we should live frugally.
Usage & nuances
Often used to describe a situation of financial hardship.
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