Translation guide
Describes someone unwilling to give or share, often in a petty or mean-spirited way. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives for stinginess, phrases about being tight-fisted, or verbs indicating reluctance to give.
Describing a person who is habitually unwilling to spend money or share resources.
The most common and versatile word for 'stingy' or 'cheap'. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective. Slightly informal but widely used.
He's really stingy.
Don't say such stingy things.
An adjective meaning 'stingy' or 'miserly', often with a nuance of being petty or small-minded. More emphatic than けち.
That person is so stingy, he won't treat you.
A formal or literary term for 'miserly' or 'stingy'. Often used in writing or formal speech.
His miserliness is famous.
Describing behavior where someone is reluctant to part with money or items, often in a specific situation.
A verb phrase meaning 'to be reluctant to give/spend' or 'to grudge giving'. Focuses on the act of withholding.
He is reluctant to donate.
Don't be stingy with your money.
A verb meaning 'to be sparing of', 'to grudge', or 'to value too much to give'. Can be used for money, effort, time, etc.
Literally 'won't let go of money', a vivid expression for someone who is tight-fisted.
Describing an ungenerous attitude that goes beyond money, implying pettiness or lack of kindness.
An expression meaning 'narrow-minded' or 'petty'. Used when someone is ungenerous in spirit, not just with money.
He's so small-minded that he can't be happy for others' success.
Means 'mean-spirited' or 'malicious'. Can describe ungenerous behavior that is intentionally hurtful.
けち describes a person's character (stingy), while 出し惜しみする describes the action of being reluctant to give. You can be けち without necessarily 出し惜しみする in every situation, and vice versa.
He's stingy, but today he didn't hold back.
The English word 'ungenerous' is not directly translatable into a single Japanese adjective. Using 不寛容 (ふかんよう, intolerant) or 気前が悪い (きまえがわるい, not generous) is possible but less natural than the options above. Stick to common expressions like けち or 出し惜しみする for most situations.
彼はわずかな金も惜しむ。
He grudges even a small amount of money.
He's famous for never parting with his money.
Don't say such mean things.