economic是economy的形容词形式,economical也是economy的形容词形式economic, economical两个词都可译成“经济的”,但含义不同。
economic用以指与贸易、工业或财富等有关的“经济上的”或“有关经济学方面”的意义,一般用作定语。如:They are faced with many economic problems.他们面临许多经济问题。The country is in a bad economic state, so we must reduce profits.国家经济状况不佳,所以我们应减少利润。economical则指与“节约”同义的“经济”,相当于not wasteful。既可指人也可指物,既可作表语也可作定语。如:This is an economical stove.这是一种经济煤炉。She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她是一个节俭的家庭主妇,她全家的花销不大。