jié: 节 - Festival, Section, Save

• Keywords: jié, 节, Chinese word for festival, Chinese word for section, save in Chinese, Chinese measure word, 节 meaning, 节约, 春节, 节目, Chinese holidays, learn Chinese
• Summary: The Chinese character 节 (jié) is a versatile and fundamental word with three primary meanings: festival/holiday, a section/segment of something, and to save/economize. From celebrating the Spring Festival (春节) to attending a class period (一节课) or saving water (节约用水), understanding 节 (jié) unlocks key aspects of Chinese daily life, culture, and values. This page will guide you through its various uses, from holidays and TV programs to the cultural importance of frugality.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jié
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb, Measure Word
• HSK Level: HSK 2 (in words like 节日 and 节目)
• Concise Definition: A festival, holiday, node, section, or segment; to save or be frugal.
• In a Nutshell: Think of a stalk of bamboo. The bamboo is divided into sections by joints, and these joints are called 节 (jié). This single image captures the essence of the word. It can mean a literal section (like a train car), a segment of time (like a class period or a holiday that punctuates the year), and by extension, the idea of regulating or saving (controlling your spending or use of resources).

• 节 (jié) is an ideogrammic compound character.
• ⺮ (zhú): The top part is the “bamboo” radical. This is the core semantic (meaning) component, immediately connecting the character to the idea of bamboo, which is famous for its distinct segments and joints.
• 即 (jí): The bottom part is primarily a phonetic component, lending its sound to the character. It originally meant “to approach” or “immediately.”
• The combination of the bamboo radical (meaning) and the phonetic component creates 节 (jié), a character whose core meaning of “joint” or “segment” is directly derived from the visual of a bamboo stalk. All other meanings, like festivals (segments of a year) or saving (regulating resources), are extensions of this core concept.

The character 节 (jié) is deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese culture in several ways: 1. The Rhythm of Life: Festivals (节日)

  In China, life is marked by a calendar of festivals (节日, jiérì) that are far more than just days off. These **节** are anchors of cultural identity, family reunion, and tradition. Unlike many Western holidays that are fixed on a solar calendar, major Chinese festivals like **春节 (Chūnjié, Spring Festival)** and **中秋节 (Zhōngqiūjié, Mid-Autumn Festival)** follow the lunar calendar. They are tied to agricultural cycles, ancient legends, and ancestor veneration. The concept of **过节 (guòjié, to celebrate a festival)** is synonymous with family gatherings, specific foods (like mooncakes or dumplings), and rituals that have been passed down for generations. This contrasts with a Western concept like "vacation," which is often individual-focused rather than a collective, ritualistic family event.

2. The Virtue of Frugality (节约)

  The concept of **节约 (jiéyuē, to be frugal/to save)** is a highly respected traditional value. Stemming from a history where resources were often scarce, and reinforced by Confucian and Taoist ideals of moderation and simplicity, wasting food, water, or money is seen as a moral failing. While modern China has a growing consumer culture, the value of **节约** is still taught from a young age. It's not just about being cheap; it's about being responsible, mindful, and showing respect for resources and labor. This is different from the Western idea of "budgeting," which is often a purely financial tool, whereas **节约** is a broader life philosophy.

3. The Strength of Integrity (气节)

  In a more profound sense, **节 (jié)** represents moral integrity and principle, especially in the word **气节 (qìjié)**. Like a stalk of bamboo that can bend in the wind but won't break at its joints (节), a person of **气节** is one who maintains their moral principles even under extreme pressure. This is a cornerstone of the Confucian "ideal person" (君子, jūnzǐ) and a celebrated trait in historical heroes.

节 (jié) is an incredibly common character. Here’s how you'll encounter it.

This is the most common usage for beginners. It's often attached to another character to name a specific holiday.

• 春节 (Chūnjié): Spring Festival / Chinese New Year
• 中秋节 (Zhōngqiūjié): Mid-Autumn Festival
• 母亲节 (Mǔqīnjié): Mother's Day
• 节日 (jiérì): The general word for “holiday” or “festival.”

It refers to a part of a larger whole.

• 节目 (jiémù): A performance item or a TV/radio program. A show is made up of different “segments.”
• 细节 (xìjié): Details (literally “fine segments”).
• 季节 (jìjié): Season (a segment of the year).
• 关节 (guānjié): A joint in the body (a connecting segment).
• 节奏 (jiézòu): Rhythm or tempo (the beat segments of music).

This is crucial for daily conversation. It quantifies things that come in sections.

• 一节课 (yī jié kè): One class period.
• 一节车厢 (yī jié chēxiāng): One train carriage.
• 一节电池 (yī jié diànchí): One battery cell.
• 第一节 (dì yī jié): The first section/chapter (of a book or article).

It's not used as a verb by itself, but forms key verbs.

• 节约 (jiéyuē): To save, to conserve (usually resources like water, electricity, food).
• 节省 (jiéshěng): To save, to use sparingly (can be used for money, time, effort).
• 调节 (tiáojié): To adjust or regulate (like a thermostat or one's mood).

• Example 1:
  • 春节是中国最重要的传统节日。
  • Pinyin: Chūnjié shì Zhōngguó zuì zhòngyào de chuántǒng jiérì.
  • English: The Spring Festival is China's most important traditional holiday.
  • Analysis: Here, 节 (jié) is used twice. First as a suffix in 春节 (Chūnjié) to name the festival, and second in the general word 节日 (jiérì), meaning “holiday.”
• Example 2:
  • 我今天下午有两节课。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yǒu liǎng jié kè.
  • English: I have two class periods this afternoon.
  • Analysis: 节 (jié) functions as a measure word for “class periods.” This is an extremely common usage for students.
• Example 3:
  • 为了保护环境，我们必须节约用水。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù huánjìng, wǒmen bìxū jiéyuē yòngshuǐ.
  • English: In order to protect the environment, we must save water.
  • Analysis: 节 (jié) is part of the verb 节约 (jiéyuē), which means to conserve a resource. This usage reflects the cultural value of frugality.
• Example 4:
  • 你最喜欢哪个电视节目？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuì xǐhuān nǎge diànshì jiémù?
  • English: Which TV program is your favorite?
  • Analysis: In 节目 (jiémù), 节 (jié) means a segment or item. A TV show is composed of various items or segments.
• Example 5:
  • 这节车厢里人不多，我们去那儿坐吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jié chēxiāng lǐ rén bù duō, wǒmen qù nàr zuò ba.
  • English: There aren't many people in this train car, let's go sit there.
  • Analysis: Another example of 节 (jié) as a measure word, this time for a segment of a train.
• Example 6:
  • 这首歌的节奏很欢快。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē de jiézòu hěn huānkuài.
  • English: The rhythm of this song is very cheerful and lively.
  • Analysis: In 节奏 (jiézòu), 节 (jié) refers to the beat or measure, the fundamental “segment” of music.
• Example 7:
  • 祝你情人节快乐！
  • Pinyin: Zhù nǐ Qíngrénjié kuàilè!
  • English: Happy Valentine's Day!
  • Analysis: Shows how 节 (jié) is used for modern and Western holidays, not just traditional Chinese ones.
• Example 8:
  • 他每个月努力节省开支，希望能早点买房。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi ge yuè nǔlì jiéshěng kāizhī, xīwàng néng zǎodiǎn mǎifáng.
  • English: He works hard to save on expenses every month, hoping to buy a house sooner.
  • Analysis: This uses 节省 (jiéshěng), which is very similar to 节约 but more often used for personal finances and time.
• Example 9:
  • 我的膝盖关节最近总是疼。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de xīgài guānjié zuìjìn zǒngshì téng.
  • English: My knee joint has been hurting a lot recently.
  • Analysis: A medical and biological use of 节 (jié) in the word 关节 (guānjié), meaning a physical joint.
• Example 10:
  • 请注意合同里的每一个细节。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zhùyì hétong lǐ de měi yī ge xìjié.
  • English: Please pay attention to every detail in the contract.
  • Analysis: In 细节 (xìjié), it refers to the small “segments” or points that make up a whole.

• 节 (jié) vs. 节日 (jiérì): This is a common point of confusion.
  • 节日 (jiérì) is the general noun for “holiday/festival.” Use it when talking about holidays in general. (e.g., “中国有很多有意思的节日。” - China has many interesting festivals.)
  • 节 (jié) is used as a suffix to name a *specific* holiday (春节, 中秋节) or can stand alone when the context is clear (e.g., “过节” - to celebrate the festival).
  • Incorrect: “我喜欢中国的节。” → Correct: “我喜欢中国的节日。”
• 节约 (jiéyuē) vs. 节省 (jiéshěng): Both mean “to save.”
  • 节约 (jiéyuē) is more formal and is often used for abstract resources like water, electricity, energy, and food. It carries a sense of social responsibility. (e.g., 节约能源 - save energy).
  • 节省 (jiéshěng) is more personal and concrete. It's often used for saving money, time, or space. (e.g., 节省时间 - save time).
• Measure Word Context: Remember that 节 (jié) is only a measure word for things that are logically “segments” of a whole. You use it for a class period (part of a school day) or a train car (part of a train), but not for a book (you'd use 本 běn) or a pen (you'd use 支 zhī).

• 节日 (jiérì) - The general, common word for “festival” or “holiday.”
• 春节 (Chūnjié) - The Spring Festival, China's most important holiday, a key example of a 节.
• 节约 (jiéyuē) - To save or economize, especially resources. The verb form of the “saving” concept.
• 节目 (jiémù) - A program (TV, radio) or a performance item. A direct application of the “segment” meaning.
• 节奏 (jiézòu) - Rhythm or tempo. The “segments” of time in music.
• 过节 (guòjié) - To celebrate a festival. A very common verb phrase.
• 季节 (jìjié) - Season. A large “segment” of the year.
• 调节 (tiáojié) - To adjust or regulate. Relates to the idea of controlling or moderating.
• 细节 (xìjié) - Details. The “small segments” of a larger issue or object.
• 气节 (qìjié) - Moral integrity/backbone. A deeper, cultural meaning related to the strength of bamboo joints.