gim6儉俭
Jyutpinggim6
Yalegihm
Definition
Frugal; thrifty; to save money.
colloquialmoneydescriptions
How it's used
While 儉 is a formal morpheme often found in compound words like 節儉, it is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese. Instead, the colloquial term 慳 is the standard way to express the concept of being thrifty or saving money. Using 儉 on its own can sound overly literary or like a direct translation from written Chinese.
Examples
He is usually very frugal and won't spend money recklessly.
You are being so frugal with your spending, are you trying to save up to buy a flat?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 儉 as a standalone verb in casual conversation, as it will sound unnatural or archaic. Always use 慳 when you want to describe the act of saving money or being stingy.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
