Translation guide
Describes someone who is extremely unwilling to spend money, often to the point of being stingy or cheap. Japanese has several words for this, ranging from formal to casual, and some are more common than others.
The most common way to describe a person who hates spending money, in everyday conversation.
The most common and versatile word for 'stingy' or 'cheap'. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective. Often used in casual speech.
A noun for a person who hoards money and hates spending it.
Describes someone who is excessively careful with money, often in a negative way.
Literally 'detailed about money'. Means someone is stingy or nitpicky about even small amounts.
彼は金に細かいから、一円でも返してもらう。
He's so tight-fisted that he'll make you pay back even one yen.
けち is the standard word for stingy and can be used in most situations. せこい is more slangy and can also mean 'petty' or 'lame' beyond just money. Avoid せこい in formal settings.
あの店は量が少なくてせこい。
That restaurant is stingy with portions.
If you want to say someone is thrifty in a positive way, use 節約家 (せつやくか) or 倹約家 (けんやくか). けち and similar words are negative.
彼女は節約家で、無駄遣いをしない。
She is frugal and doesn't waste money.
彼は本当にけちだ。
He's really stingy.
そんなけちなこと言わないで。
Don't be so cheap.
Slangy, casual word for 'stingy' or 'petty'. Often used among younger people. Can also mean 'lame' or 'small-minded'.
割り勘にするなんて、せこいね。
Splitting the bill? That's so cheap.
Formal or literary term for 'miserly'. Not used in everyday conversation. Often appears in writing.
彼は吝嗇家として知られている。
He is known as a miser.
Literally 'money-guarding slave'. A strong, somewhat old-fashioned word for a miser. Often used in literature or to emphasize extreme stinginess.
あの老人は守銭奴だ。
That old man is a miser.
A cute or childish way to call someone a cheapskate. Often used playfully.
お父さんはけちん坊だから、お小遣いをくれない。
Dad is a cheapskate, so he won't give me an allowance.
Verb phrase meaning 'to be reluctant to spend money'. Describes the action of hesitating to pay.
彼はいつも金を出し渋る。
He always grudgingly parts with his money.