Translation guide
Describes someone unwilling to spend money or share resources, often in a petty way. Japanese has several words for this, ranging from mild to strong, and some are more common in speech or writing.
Describe a person who hates spending money, even on necessary things.
The most common and versatile word for 'stingy'. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective. Often used in casual conversation.
He's really stingy.
そんなケチなこと言わないで。
Don't say such stingy things.
An adjective meaning 'stingy' or 'cheapskate', often with a nuance of being petty or small-minded. More colloquial than ケチ.
彼のけちくさい態度には呆れる。
I'm disgusted by his stingy attitude.
A formal or literary term for 'stingy' or 'miserly'. Not used in everyday speech.
彼は吝嗇家として知られている。
He is known as a miser.
Means 'stingy' or 'shabby', implying a lack of generosity that seems petty or cheap. Often used for behavior or appearance.
そんなみみっちい真似はやめろ。
Stop that stingy behavior.
Describe someone who is reluctant to share things, time, or help.
Also covers unwillingness to share. Very common.
お菓子をケチるなよ。
Don't be stingy with the snacks.
Verb meaning 'to be stingy with something', 'to hold back on giving'. Often used with money, information, or effort.
彼は情報を出し惜しみしている。
He's being stingy with information.
Verb meaning 'to be stingy with' or 'to begrudge'. Can be used for money, time, effort, etc. Often in negative form.
Describe a portion, amount, or something that seems insufficient or ungenerous.
Attributive form meaning 'stingy' or 'cheap', used for things like portions, salaries, etc.
ケチな給料で働かされている。
They make me work for a stingy salary.
Adjective meaning 'stingy', 'miserly', or 'shabby'. Often implies a grudging, small-minded attitude. Stronger than ケチ.
しみったれた量の料理だな。
What a stingy amount of food.
ケチ is negative and implies pettiness or unwillingness to spend even when necessary. 節約 (setsuyaku) means 'saving' or 'economizing' and is positive or neutral. Don't call someone 節約 if you mean they are stingy.
English 'stingy' can be translated directly as ケチ in most cases, but be careful with formal contexts. 吝嗇 (rinshoku) is too stiff for daily use. Use ケチ for casual, and consider rephrasing for politeness (e.g., お金に細かい - meticulous about money).
He is not stingy with money.