German word

karg

Pronunciation

IPA/kaʁk/

Meaning

  • adjectivefrugal

Example

Er führt ein karges Leben.

He leads a frugal life.

Illustration for karg (frugal)

More examples

Die Firma zahlte nur ein karges Gehalt.

The company paid only a meager salary.

Core concept

A bare table holds only what is strictly necessary, with little room for comfort, decoration, or abundance.

Common phrases

  • karges Gehalt

    meager salary

  • karge Unterkunft

    spartan accommodation

Similar words

schlicht: Uncomplicated and modest in appearance, without showy decoration.
spärlich: Limited in quantity or number and barely enough, or not enough, for needs.
dürftig: Meager in quality or amount, providing less than a satisfactory standard.
kahl: Completely bare in appearance, with little or nothing covering the surface.

Definition in German

Arm an Dingen oder Schmuck; nüchtern und ohne Überfluss.

Word origin

Karg is an inherited Germanic adjective, recorded in Middle High German as karg, whose old sense of scarcity developed into meanings of austerity and scant provision.

Usage tips

  • Karg often suggests an unpleasant lack or bleak austerity, whereas sparsam more readily describes deliberate, sensible economy.

Other meanings

  • scantyadjective
  • pooradjective
  • meageradjective

Opposites

  • üppigabundantadjective
  • opulentopulentadjective

Related words

  • Kargheitausteritynoun

Word lists with this word