bǎocún: 保存 - to save, to preserve, to keep

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• Summary: The Chinese verb 保存 (bǎocún) is a fundamental term that means “to save,” “to preserve,” or “to keep.” Its usage spans from the digital world, like saving a document on your computer, to the physical world, such as preserving food or ancient artifacts. Understanding 保存 is essential for daily tasks and grasping the Chinese concept of maintaining things of value, whether it's data, historical relics, or even memories.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bǎo cún
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To keep something from being damaged, lost, or changed; to save or preserve.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 保存 (bǎocún) as the action of protecting something to maintain its current state. It's the button you click to “save” your work, the process used to “preserve” food in a jar, and the effort taken to “keep” an old building from falling apart. The core idea is maintaining integrity and preventing loss or decay.

• 保 (bǎo): This character is composed of the “person” radical (亻) and a component that originally depicted protecting a child. Its core meaning is “to protect,” “to guard,” or “to keep safe.”
• 存 (cún): This character relates to existence and storage. Its primary meanings are “to exist,” “to be present,” or “to store.”
• The two characters combine beautifully: 保 (to protect) + 存 (to exist/store) = 保存 (to protect something so that it continues to exist in its current state). This fusion perfectly captures the meaning of “to save” or “to preserve.”

While 保存 (bǎocún) is a highly practical and modern word, it taps into a deep-seated cultural value in China: the importance of preservation. This extends far beyond saving a computer file. Chinese culture places immense value on its long history. The act of 保存 is seen in the meticulous restoration of ancient temples, the safeguarding of dynastic records, and the passing down of traditions. This isn't just about keeping old things; it's about maintaining a connection to the past and ensuring its continuity for future generations. In a Western context, we use different words for different types of “saving.” We “save” a document, “preserve” food, “conserve” energy, and “keep” a souvenir. In Chinese, 保存 (bǎocún) is a versatile workhorse that can cover many of these contexts. This reflects a holistic view where the act of maintaining something valuable—whether it's digital data, a cultural artifact, or a jar of pickled vegetables—is fundamentally the same concept.

保存 (bǎocún) is an everyday word with several key contexts. It is generally neutral to formal.

This is the most frequent use you'll encounter. Any time you interact with software, apps, or games, you will see 保存.

• 保存文件 (bǎocún wénjiàn): To save a file/document.
• 保存更改 (bǎocún gēnggǎi): To save changes.
• 点击保存 (diǎnjī bǎocún): Click “save.”
• 自动保存 (zìdòng bǎocún): Autosave.

This refers to preserving tangible items, from food to historical evidence.

• 保存食物 (bǎocún shíwù): To preserve food (e.g., by freezing, canning).
• 保存证据 (bǎocún zhèngjù): To preserve evidence.
• 这个寺庙保存得很好。(Zhège sìmiào bǎocún de hěn hǎo.): This temple is very well-preserved.

保存 can also be used for intangible things, like one's strength or memories.

• 保存实力 (bǎocún shílì): To conserve/preserve one's strength (often in a competition, holding back for a later stage).
• 保存记忆 (bǎocún jìyì): To preserve a memory.

• Example 1:
  • 写完报告以后，别忘了保存文件。
  • Pinyin: Xiě wán bàogào yǐhòu, bié wàngle bǎocún wénjiàn.
  • English: After you finish writing the report, don't forget to save the file.
  • Analysis: This is the most common digital usage. 保存 is paired directly with 文件 (wénjiàn), meaning “file.”
• Example 2:
  • 为了冬天有菜吃，奶奶把很多蔬菜保存了起来。
  • Pinyin: Wèile dōngtiān yǒu cài chī, nǎinai bǎ hěnduō shūcài bǎocún le qǐlái.
  • English: In order to have vegetables to eat in the winter, Grandma preserved a lot of vegetables.
  • Analysis: This shows the physical usage of preserving food. The structure `把…保存起来 (bǎ…bǎocún qǐlái)` is common, indicating the action of storing something away.
• Example 3:
  • 这座古城保存得非常完好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔchéng bǎocún de fēicháng wánhǎo.
  • English: This ancient city is preserved extremely well.
  • Analysis: Here, 保存 is used to describe the state of a historical site. The particle `得 (de)` is used to connect the verb to a description of how well the action was done (`完好 wánhǎo` - intact, in good condition).
• Example 4:
  • 请保存好您的购物小票，方便退换。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎocún hǎo nín de gòuwù xiǎopiào, fāngbiàn tuìhuàn.
  • English: Please keep your shopping receipt safe, it will be convenient for returns or exchanges.
  • Analysis: This is a common phrase in retail. 保存好 (bǎocún hǎo) emphasizes not just keeping something, but keeping it properly and safely.
• Example 5:
  • 我想把这个电话号码保存到我的手机里。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng bǎ zhège diànhuà hàomǎ bǎocún dào wǒ de shǒujī lǐ.
  • English: I want to save this phone number into my phone.
  • Analysis: Another digital example, showing how it's used for saving data like contacts.
• Example 6:
  • 在决赛前，运动员需要保存体力。
  • Pinyin: Zài juésài qián, yùndòngyuán xūyào bǎocún tǐlì.
  • English: Before the final match, athletes need to conserve their physical strength.
  • Analysis: This is an abstract usage. You can't physically “store” strength, but you can preserve it by not overexerting yourself. 体力 (tǐlì) means physical strength.
• Example 7:
  • 博物馆的责任是保存和展示历史文物。
  • Pinyin: Bówùguǎn de zérèn shì bǎocún hé zhǎnshì lìshǐ wénwù.
  • English: The responsibility of a museum is to preserve and display historical artifacts.
  • Analysis: This example uses 保存 in a formal, institutional context regarding cultural heritage.
• Example 8:
  • 你的游戏进度已经自动保存了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de yóuxì jìndù yǐjīng zìdòng bǎocún le.
  • English: Your game progress has been autosaved.
  • Analysis: A very modern and practical example related to gaming and software. 自动 (zìdòng) means “automatic.”
• Example 9:
  • 科学家们正在努力保存濒危物种的基因。
  • Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài nǔlì bǎocún bīnwēi wùzhǒng de jīyīn.
  • English: Scientists are working hard to preserve the genes of endangered species.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a scientific context, referring to preservation at a genetic level.
• Example 10:
  • 这张老照片保存了我童年的美好回忆。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhāng lǎo zhàopiàn bǎocún le wǒ tóngnián de měihǎo huíyì.
  • English: This old photograph preserves the beautiful memories of my childhood.
  • Analysis: A beautiful, abstract example. The photo acts as a vessel that “keeps” or “preserves” intangible memories.

English speakers often misuse 保存 (bǎocún) by applying the English word “save” too broadly. Here are the most critical distinctions:

• Mistake 1: “Saving” a person.
  • Do NOT use 保存 to mean “rescue.” For saving someone from danger, you must use 救 (jiù) or 拯救 (zhěngjiù).
  • Incorrect: 消防员保存了那个孩子。(Xiāofáng yuán bǎocún le nàge háizi.)
  • Correct: 消防员救了那个孩子。(Xiāofáng yuán jiù le nàge háizi.) - The firefighter saved the child.
• Mistake 2: “Saving” money.
  • 保存 has nothing to do with money. To “save money” by spending less is 省钱 (shěng qián). To “save money” by depositing it in a bank is 存钱 (cún qián). Notice the shared character 存 (cún), but the meaning is different.
  • Incorrect: 我每个月保存一百块钱。(Wǒ měi gè yuè bǎocún yībǎi kuài qián.)
  • Correct: 我每个月存一百块钱。(Wǒ měi gè yuè cún yībǎi kuài qián.) - I save/deposit 100 yuan every month.
• Mistake 3: “Saving” a seat or food for someone.
  • When you “keep” or “save” something for someone for temporary, near-future use, the word is 保留 (bǎoliú) or, more colloquially, 留 (liú). 保存 implies longer-term preservation.
  • Incorrect: 我给你保存了一个座位。(Wǒ gěi nǐ bǎocún le yīgè zuòwèi.)
  • Correct: 我给你留了一个座位。(Wǒ gěi nǐ liú le yīgè zuòwèi.) - I saved a seat for you.

• 保护 (bǎohù) - To protect. Focuses on shielding from active harm, while 保存 focuses on maintaining a state. You `保护` a child, but you `保存` a document.
• 保留 (bǎoliú) - To retain; to reserve. Implies keeping something that you could otherwise give away or get rid of. You `保留` your opinion or `保留` a seat.
• 储存 (chǔcún) - To store; to stockpile. Focuses on gathering and storing things, often in quantity, like grain or data.
• 存放 (cúnfàng) - To deposit; to leave in someone's care. Emphasizes the location where something is stored, like putting luggage in a locker.
• 救 (jiù) - To save; to rescue. The correct term for saving a life. A critical “false friend” to avoid confusing with 保存.
• 省钱 (shěng qián) - To save money (by being frugal). The correct term for saving money by not spending it.
• 存钱 (cún qián) - To save money (by depositing). The correct term for putting money in a bank.
• 文件 (wénjiàn) - File; document. A noun very frequently used as the object of 保存.
• 数据 (shùjù) - Data. Another common object of 保存 in a tech context.