Chinese word

小气

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiǎo qì

Meaning

  • adjectivestingy

Example

他很小气，连一杯咖啡都不买给我。tā hén xiǎo qì lián yì bēi kā fēi dōu bù mǎi gěi wǒ

He is very stingy and won't even buy me a cup of coffee.

Illustration for 小气 (stingy)

More examples

他在生意上很小气，很少投资别人。tā zài shēng yì shàng hén xiǎo qì hén shǎo tóu zī bié rén

He is very stingy in business and rarely invests in others.

Core concept

Keeps the hand closed over small amounts, so little acts of spending or giving feel like a loss.

Common phrases

  • 非常小气fēi cháng xiǎo qì

    very stingy

  • 对别人小气duì bié rén xiǎo qì

    stingy toward others

  • 在金钱上小气zài jīn qián shàng xiǎo qì

    stingy with money

Similar words

吝啬lìn sè: Extremely unwilling to part with money or possessions, even when generosity is expected.
抠门kōu mén: Overly tight with money and reluctant to pay for every little expense.

Definition in Chinese

不愿意花钱或付出，哪怕是很小的东西也舍不得给别人。bú yuàn yì huā qián huò fù chū nǎ pà shì hén xiǎo de dōng xī yě shě bu de gěi bié rén

Word origin

小 (xiǎo, "small") + 气 (qì, "temperament") links a narrow temperament with the habit of holding back money and other small offerings.

Usage tips

  • The word often judges a person's character, so it can sound sharper than a simple comment about careful spending.

Other meanings

  • cheapskatenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 小气鬼xiǎo qì guǐcheapskatenoun

Word lists with this word