Japanese Conversation · Level 106
60 words
Japanese word
惜しむ
Pronunciation
Romajioshimu
Meaning
- verbspare
Example
彼女は努力を惜しみません。kano jo wa do ryoku o o shi mi ma se n
She spares no effort.
More examples
彼女は必要な資料の購入に費用を惜しみません。kano jo wa hitsu yō na shi ryō no kō nyū ni hi yō o o shi mi ma se n
She spares no expense when buying the necessary materials.
Core concept
Keeps a valued thing from being used or given away, and can also express regret over losing it.
Common phrases
努力を惜しまないdo ryoku o o shi ma na i
spare no effort
労力を惜しまないrō ryoku o o shi ma na i
spare no effort
労を惜しまないrō o o shi ma na i
spare no effort
費用を惜しまないhi yō o o shi ma na i
spare no expense
手間を惜しまないte ma o o shi ma na i
spare no trouble
Similar words
出し渋るdashishiburu: To be reluctant to provide or spend something that is requested or needed.
出し惜しみするdashioshimisuru: To hold back something that could be given or put to use.
けちるkechiru: To be stingy with money, effort, or other resources.
Definition in Japanese
価値があると思うものを出し惜しみし、手放したり相手に与えたりするのをためらう。また、失うのを残念に思う。ka chi ga a ru to omo u mo no o da shi o shi mi shi te bana shi ta ri ai te ni ata e ta ri su ru no o ta me ra u ma ta ushina u no o zan nen ni omo u
Word origin
The native verb 惜しむ (oshimu) combines the adjective stem 惜し (oshi, "dear or regrettable") with む (mu, "verb-forming suffix"), expressing reluctance to give something up.
Usage tips
- Japanese often uses 惜しむ (oshimu) for nonmaterial things such as effort and praise, so the verb can describe restraint even when no object changes hands.
Other meanings
- regretverb
- begrudgeverb
Opposites
- 浪費するrōhisuruwasteverb
Related words
- 惜しみないoshiminaiunstintingi-adjective