na-adjective, noun
unselfishness; wanting little; frugal in desire
Describes a person or attitude of having few worldly desires; often used in literary or philosophical contexts to praise simplicity and contentment.
彼は寡欲な生活を送っている。
He leads a life of few desires.
寡欲は古来、徳の一つとされてきた。
Wanting little has been considered a virtue since ancient times.
Compound of 寡 (few, little) and 欲 (desire). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning follows directly from the kanji components.