der Geizhals
miser
A person who is very reluctant to spend money and rarely treats others to anything.
EXAMPLE
Er ist so ein Geizhals, dass er selbst beim Trinkgeld spart.
He is such a miser that he even saves money on tips.
der Geizhals
miser
der Geizhals, die Geizhälse
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Geizhals, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Geizhälse |
| genitive | des Geizhalses |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Geizhals | die Geizhälse |
| accusative | den Geizhals | die Geizhälse |
| dative | dem Geizhals | den Geizhälsen |
| genitive | des Geizhalses | der Geizhälse |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word composition
'Geizhals' (miser) is made up of 'Geiz' (stinginess) and 'Hals' (neck). The compound figuratively describes a person whose stinginess is particularly pronounced.
EXAMPLE
Alle halten ihn für einen Geizhals, weil er nie etwas spendiert.
Everyone considers him a miser because he never treats anyone to anything.
Typical collocations
'Geizhals' (miser) often appears with expressions such as 'ein richtiger Geizhals' (a real miser), 'ein echter Geizhals' (a genuine miser), or 'so ein Geizhals' (such a miser). The expression 'als Geizhals gelten' (to be considered a miser) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Im Freundeskreis gilt er als echter Geizhals.
Among his friends, he is considered a genuine miser.
Negative connotation
'Geizhals' (miser) is a strongly derogatory term and is often used to criticize someone directly. The word is therefore particularly suited to judgmental statements and can sound rude.
EXAMPLE
Nenn ihn nicht vor allen Leuten einen Geizhals, sonst fühlt er sich beleidigt.
Don't call him a miser in front of everyone, or he'll feel insulted.
In real life
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