When combined, 省事 (shěngshì) literally means “to save matters” or “to reduce the affairs.” It's an intuitive word that means you are simplifying a process or reducing the number of steps required to complete a task, thereby saving yourself trouble.
In a culture that highly values pragmatism and efficiency, 省事 (shěngshì) is more than just a word; it's a desirable outcome. From the explosion of food delivery and e-commerce apps to the development of the world's most extensive high-speed rail network, modern Chinese society is built around the principle of making things more 省事. A useful comparison is to contrast it with the Western “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) ethos. While DIY culture often romanticizes the process and the satisfaction of building something with your own hands, the mindset behind 省事 often prioritizes the result and the efficient use of time. A common Chinese perspective might be, “Why spend a whole day building a bookshelf when you can buy a sturdy, affordable one and use that time to relax or be with family?” This isn't about laziness; it's a practical calculation of where one's time and energy are best spent. 省事 is about being smart with your resources, especially your time.
省事 is an extremely common and versatile term used in daily life.
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