zi1 haan1 sik1 gim6知慳識儉知悭识俭
Jyutpingzi1 haan1 sik1 gim6
Yalejī hāan sīk gihm
Definition
Thrifty, frugal, and wise with money; knowing how to save and budget.
colloquialmoneypeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a positive connotation of being responsible and prudent with money. It is often used to praise someone who manages their household finances well or avoids unnecessary luxury. Unlike simply being cheap, which can imply a negative stinginess, this term highlights a virtuous ability to save and plan for the future.
Examples
He is very frugal in daily life and never buys things recklessly.
Related words
Common phrases
to live a frugal life
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is stingy or unwilling to spend money on essential needs, as that would be better expressed by words like 孤寒.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
