貯 means “save, store up”

ちょ · cho

Also: savings, store, lay in, keep

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): ためる, たくわえる
On'yomi (Chinese reading): チョ

Taught in grade 5 · 12 strokes

The story

Shells/wealth (貝) kept in storage (宁): treasure carefully set aside. Japan has one of the world's highest savings rates, and 貯金 (chokin, savings) is taught from childhood. The beloved 貯金箱 (chokinbako, piggy bank) is a cultural icon: children learn that small coins saved today become tomorrow's 宝 (takara, treasure).

Used in 貯金 (chokin, savings), 貯蓄 (chochiku, savings/reserves), and 貯める (tameru, to save up)

貯 means “save, store up”

The story

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