tằn tiện
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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.)