防止资源浪费

You usually use this phrase as a goal or a justification. If you are at a buffet, you say it to explain why you aren't piling your plate high. In an office, you use it to suggest a more efficient workflow. It functions like a noun phrase or a mission statement. You can say, "We are doing this to 防止资源浪费." It sounds proactive and intelligent. It is less about scolding someone and more about solving a problem.

Use it when you want to sound professional or environmentally conscious. It is perfect for business meetings when discussing budgets. It works great at dinner when someone is about to order too much food. You can even use it when texting a friend about carpooling. It shows you care about the bigger picture. It is a very "green" and "sustainable" thing to say these days.

Do not use this for tiny, personal habits in a casual setting. If your roommate leaves the tap running for five seconds, this phrase is too heavy. It sounds like a government slogan. Just say "别浪费水" (Don't waste water) instead. Also, avoid it in highly emotional or romantic situations. Telling your partner to 防止资源浪费 during a date might make you sound like a robot. Keep it for practical or official contexts.

China has a long history of valuing frugality. There is a famous poem about how every grain of rice is hard-earned. Recently, the "Clean Plate Campaign" (光盘行动) made this phrase very popular again. The government and schools push this idea heavily to ensure food security. It is not just about being cheap. It is about respecting the effort that went into creating the resource. It is a point of national pride to be efficient.

You might hear 节约资源 (save resources) which is a bit softer. There is also 杜绝浪费 (put an end to waste) which is much stronger. If you want to focus only on food, use 珍惜粮食 (cherish food). 防止资源浪费 remains the most versatile and professional-sounding version. It covers the environment, the economy, and personal habits all at once.