倹
frugal, economy, thrifty
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
Kun'yomi
- つま.しい
- つづまやか
Meaning
倹 centers on careful, restrained use of resources: being frugal, economical, or thrifty with money and goods.
Most common words using 倹
- 倹約けんやくN1
thrift; economy; frugality
- 倹けん
economizing; thriftiness; prudence; frugality
- 倹しいつましい
thrifty; frugal; economical
- 倹吝けんりん
greedy and stingy
- 倹約令けんやくれい
laws regulating expenditures; sumptuary edicts; thrift ordinance
- 倹約家けんやくか
thrifty person; frugal person; economizer
- 倹素けんそ
economical and simple
- 勤倹きんけん
industry; diligence; frugality
- 勤倹の風きんけんのふう
custom (habit) of diligence and thrift
- 勤倹力行きんけんりっこう
work hard and practice frugality
- 勤倹貯蓄きんけんちょちく
thrift and saving
- 恭倹きょうけん
respectfulness and modesty; deference
- 温良恭倹譲おんりょうきょうけんじょう
cordial, obedient, respectful, modest, and moderate
- 節倹せっけん
economy; thrift
- 質素倹約しっそけんやく
(practice of) simplicity and frugality; scrimping and saving
Study
Etymology
倹 is the modern simplified form of 儉. The older form combines 亻 (person) with 僉, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of moderation or restraint. The modern right side 㑒 is a simplified shape.
Meaning mnemonic
A person 亻 beside a simplified shape 㑒 that suggests checking or limiting. Picture someone carefully measuring out only what is needed, being thrifty and economical.
Reading mnemonic
For ケン, imagine a frugal person named Ken who saves every penny: Ken -> ケン, and his thrifty habits match the kanji's meaning.