stingy
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stingy
Excessively frugal and unwilling to spend money or share possessions. The term has a strongly negative connotation.
Obwohl er sehr reich ist, ist er unglaublich geizig und gibt nie Trinkgeld.
Although he is very rich, he is incredibly stingy and never tips.
to be stingy with something
In a figurative sense, to be reserved or sparing with something non-material, for example with praise, compliments, or information.
Der Chef ist sehr geizig mit Lob, auch wenn man gute Arbeit leistet.
The boss is very stingy with praise, even when you do good work.
The adjective 'geizig' (stingy) belongs to the noun 'der Geiz' (stinginess). 'Geiz' is the quality of being excessively frugal and not wanting to share anything.
Sein Geiz ist in der ganzen Familie bekannt.
His stinginess is known throughout the whole family.
'Geizig' (stingy) is not a neutral description, but a strong criticism of a person's character. It is seen as a very negative trait.
Nenn ihn nicht sparsam, er ist einfach nur geizig!
Don't call him frugal; he's simply stingy!
In the figurative meaning, 'geizig' (stingy) is always used with the preposition 'mit' and the dative: 'geizig mit etwas sein' (to be stingy with something).
Mein alter Professor war immer sehr geizig mit guten Noten.
My old professor was always very stingy with good grades.
When someone is 'geizig mit' (stingy with) something, it is often about non-material things like 'Lob' (praise), 'Komplimenten' (compliments), 'Informationen' (information), or 'Zuneigung' (affection).
Sie ist nicht nur mit Geld, sondern auch mit ihrer Zeit sehr geizig.
She is very stingy not only with money, but also with her time.
frugal / economical / sparing
Sparsam and geizig can both mean that someone spends little money. Sparsam usually describes an economical and neutral or positive approach to money, whereas geizig describes excessive reluctance to spend and strongly criticizes the person. Use sparsam for sensible budgeting and geizig for a disapproving judgment.
Lea ist geizig und gibt selbst für notwendige Dinge nur widerwillig Geld aus.
Lea is stingy and is reluctant to spend money even on necessary things.
Lea ist sparsam und kauft nur Dinge, die sie wirklich braucht.
Lea is frugal and only buys things she really needs.
