省
shěng , xǐng · HSK 2
to save
💰 少 (less) + 目 (eye) — spend less, keep an eye on it (save/economize)
省 decomposes into 少 (shǎo, less/few) on top of 目 (mù, eye). The verbal hook: use less, watch carefully. Second reading xǐng means to examine or be aware — same eye, different focus.
省 — 少 (shǎo) on top + 目 (eye) below
Originally a compound of 少 'small/few' over 目 'eye', suggesting narrowed eyes peering closely — hence the reading xǐng meaning 'to examine, inspect, reflect'. The sense of 'reduce/save' and the administrative meaning 'province' (as in 省份) developed later from the idea of cutting down or overseeing a region.