Definition

1. Verb:
   • To save; to set aside; to reserve: The primary meaning of "để dành" is to keep something, such as money, food, or an object, for future use rather than consuming or using it immediately.
   • To economize; to put by: It implies a conscious act of frugality, often by accumulating resources gradually over time.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy để dành tiền để mua một chiếc xe mới. (She saves money to buy a new car.)
  • Mẹ tôi để dành chiếc bánh ngon nhất cho em tôi. (My mother saved the most delicious cake for my sibling.)
  • Chúng ta nên để dành nước sạch cho những ngày khô hạn. (We should save clean water for dry days.)

Advanced Usage

• "để dành riêng": to set aside specifically; to earmark.
  • Căn phòng nhỏ này được để dành riêng cho khách. (This small room is set aside specifically for guests.)

Variants and Related Words

• Để phần (v): to save a portion (for someone).

  • Bạn nhớ để phần cho tôi nhé. (Remember to save a portion for me.)

• Tích cóp / Tích trữ (v): to accumulate, to stockpile. This emphasizes the gradual gathering aspect.

  • Ông ấy tích cóp đủ tiền để về hưu. (He accumulated enough money to retire.)

Synonyms

• Save: to keep for future use.
• Reserve: to set aside for a particular purpose or person.
• Set aside / Put by: to keep something unused for later.

Related Idioms

• Làm khi lành để dành khi đau: Literally "Work when healthy to save for when sick." This proverb means to prepare and save during good times for potential future hardships.
  • Ông bà ta có câu: "Làm khi lành để dành khi đau". (Our elders have a saying: "Work when healthy to save for when sick.")

verb

1. to save; to economize
   • để dành tiền
     to set money by