also: そろばんづく
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
mercenary; calculative; greedy; commercial-minded
Describes a person or attitude that is overly concerned with profit and loss, like an abacus (算盤) calculating every gain. Often used critically.
彼はそろばんずくで、友情より金を優先する。
He is mercenary, prioritizing money over friendship.
そろばんずくな考え方では、本当の幸せは得られない。
You can't find true happiness with a calculative mindset.
Irregular okurigana kanji spelling; rarely used.
打算的 is a more formal na-adjective meaning 'calculating' or 'self-interested', while そろばんずく is a colloquial noun/no-adjective with a vivid image of abacus-like profit-seeking.
金に汚い means 'money-grubbing' or 'stingy', focusing on greed for money itself, whereas そろばんずく emphasizes a cold, calculating attitude toward profit and loss.
Compound of 算盤 (soroban, 'abacus') + 尽く (zuku, suffix meaning 'entirely' or 'devoted to'). Literally 'abacus-minded', implying a person who is always calculating gains and losses.