Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely frugal or stingy: Describes a person who is excessively careful and restrictive with spending money or using resources, often to the point of being unwilling to spend even when necessary.
   • Characterized by extreme thrift: Refers to a lifestyle, action, or behavior that involves severe limitation of expenses or consumption.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bà ấy sống rất tằn tiện để dành tiền cho con. (She lives very frugally to save money for her children.)
  • Ông chủ bị coi là người tằn tiện, không bao giờ thưởng cho nhân viên. (The boss is considered stingy, never giving bonuses to employees.)
  • Với đồng lương ít ỏi, họ phải chi tiêu tằn tiện. (With their meager salary, they have to spend very thriftily.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a negative connotation, implying excessive or unreasonable tightness, unlike more neutral terms for thrift.
• It can describe not just money, but also the careful use of time, effort, or materials.

Variants and Related Words

• Tằn tiện chi li (phrase): To be stingy down to the smallest detail; to pinch pennies obsessively.
  • Anh ta tằn tiện chi li từng khoản nhỏ. (He is stingy down to every small detail.)

Synonyms

• Stingy: Unwilling to give or spend; ungenerous.
• Parsimonious: Extremely unwilling to spend money or use resources.
• Frugal: Sparing or economical with regard to money or food. (Note: "Frugal" is often more positive than "tằn tiện").
• Miserly: Characteristic of a miser; hoarding wealth and spending as little as possible.

Antonyms

• Generous: Showing a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary.
• Lavish: Spending or giving in great amounts.
• Wasteful: Using or expending something carelessly or to no purpose.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ăn tiêu tằn tiện: To spend and live in a very thrifty manner.
  • Cả gia đình phải ăn tiêu tằn tiện qua thời khó khăn. (The whole family had to live very thriftily to get through the difficult period.)

noun

1. slinging, very shrifly