zit3 gim6節儉节俭
Jyutpingzit3 gim6
Yalejit gihm
Definition
Thrifty, frugal, and economical; avoiding unnecessary spending.
neutralmoneydescriptions
How it's used
Describes a positive, disciplined approach to money management rather than just being stingy. It often carries a sense of moral virtue or practical wisdom in managing household finances. While it can be used to describe someone who is careful with their spending, it is distinct from being cheap or stingy, which would be better described as 孤寒.
Examples
He is very thrifty and won't spend money recklessly.
Related words
Common phrases
managing a household with diligence and frugality
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 孤寒, but 節儉 is a positive trait of being economical, whereas 孤寒 is a negative trait of being miserly or unwilling to spend even when necessary.
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.
