kan4 gim6勤儉勤俭
Jyutpingkan4 gim6
Yalekàhn gihm
Definition
Hardworking and thrifty; diligent and frugal.
neutraldescriptionsmoney
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of traditional virtue and is often used to praise someone's character or lifestyle. It is more formal than simply saying someone is 慳家, which focuses primarily on being thrifty. You will frequently hear it in advice given by older generations regarding financial stability.
Examples
He is usually very hardworking and thrifty, and has saved up a lot of money.
The most important thing in life is to be hardworking and thrifty, don't spend money recklessly.
Related words
Common phrases
managing a household with diligence and thrift
hardworking and frugal
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 勤力, which only describes being hardworking. Using 勤儉 implies that the person is not only diligent but also manages their finances carefully, so it is not interchangeable with words that only describe work ethic.
Grammar color guide
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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.
