つましい

つ

ま

し

い

Meanings

1

i-adjective

thrifty; frugal; economical

usually written using kana alone

Describes a modest, careful lifestyle that avoids waste; often implies a simple, restrained way of living rather than just saving money.

彼かの女じょはつましい生せい活かつを送おくっている。
She leads a frugal life.

つましい食しょく事じでも、家か族ぞくと一いっ緒しょなら楽たのしい。

Even a simple meal is enjoyable when shared with family.

Written forms

つましいUsage92%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 倹しい and 約しい are rare.
倹つましいUsage8%
Rare kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.
約つましい
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.

Kanji

倹frugal, economy, thrifty
約promise, approximately, shrink

Similar words

倹けん約やく
倹約 is a noun/suru-verb meaning 'economizing' or 'saving' as a deliberate action, while つましい is an adjective describing a naturally modest, thrifty lifestyle.
質しっ素そ
質素 is a na-adjective/noun meaning 'simple' or 'plain', often referring to appearance or lifestyle without waste, but つましい carries a stronger nuance of careful financial restraint.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, but it may be related to the classical verb つまむ (to pinch, to be frugal). The kanji 倹 and 約 both carry meanings of thrift and economy.