tight-fisted; short of money
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesadjective
tight-fisted; stingy; reluctant to spend money or give things away
Describes a person who is careful with money and unwilling to part with it. Can be mildly negative or neutral depending on context.
Tā他
yī一
xiàng向
shǒu手
jǐn紧
，
bù不
huì会
mǎi买
zhè这
zhǒng种
wán玩
yì意
ér儿
de的
。
He has always been tight-fisted; he wouldn't buy this kind of thing.
Wǒ我
fù父
qīn亲
shǒu手
jǐn紧
，
dàn但
mǔ母
qīn亲
què却
hěn很
kāng慷
kǎi慨
。
My father is stingy, but my mother is very generous.
adjective
short of money; hard up; tight on cash
Describes a temporary financial situation where one lacks available funds. Often used with time phrases like 'these days'. Also commonly expressed as 手头紧 (shǒu tóu jǐn).
Zhè这
jǐ几
tiān天
shǒu手
jǐn紧
，
guò过
liǎng两
tiān天
zài再
mǎi买
ba吧
。
I'm a bit short on cash these days; let's buy it in a couple of days.
Zuì最
jìn近
shǒu手
tóu头
jǐn紧
，
méi没
fǎ法
qǐng请
nǐ你
chī吃
fàn饭
。
I'm tight on money lately, so I can't treat you to dinner.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Yuè月
dǐ底
zǒng总
shì是
shǒu手
jǐn紧
，
děng等
fā发
gōng工
zī资
jiù就
hǎo好
le了
。
I'm always hard up at the end of the month; it'll be fine once I get paid.