小气鬼
xiǎo qì guǐ
The English word 'cheapskate' is translated into Chinese as 小气鬼 (xiǎo qì guǐ).
小气鬼 is used to describe someone who does not give freely. It is commonly used in social settings to tease friends or to complain about someone being stingy with money or resources.
Meaning: someone who doesn't give freely (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 小 (small), 气 (spirit/breath/temperament) and 鬼 (ghost/devil), literally meaning a 'small-spirited ghost'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
小气鬼 is an informal term. Depending on the context, it can carry a playful or mildly insulting tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 小气鬼 can be used as a predicate to describe someone, such as in the sentence 'He is a cheapskate' (他是个小气鬼).
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎo qì guǐ
Did you know?
- The word 气 usually refers to 'air' or 'energy', but when combined as 小气, it describes a narrow-mindedness that extends beyond money to include emotional stinginess.
- The use of 鬼 as a suffix for a person's character can be applied to many other traits, such as 淘气鬼 (táo qì guǐ) for a 'mischievous brat'.
- In Chinese culture, calling someone 小气 can be a serious social critique because generosity is deeply tied to 'face' and social standing.
Examples in context
- 在商业谈判中，他总是表现得像个小气鬼一样，从不肯多花一分钱。During business negotiations, he always acts like a cheapskate, unwilling to spend an extra dime.
- 小王真是个吝啬鬼，从来不请朋友吃饭，连个小礼物都不愿意买！Xiao Wang is such a cheapskate! He never treats his friends to a meal and refuses to buy even a small gift!
- 他真是个小气鬼。Tā zhēn shì gè xiǎoqìguǐ.He is such a cheapskate.
- 别说他是个小气鬼。Bié shuō tā shì gè xiǎoqìguǐ.Don't call him a cheapskate.
- 那个小气鬼一点都不请客。Nàge xiǎoqìguǐ yìdiǎnr dōu bù qǐngkè.That cheapskate never treats anyone.
Example conversation
Haoran and Yuting are deciding who pays for dinner.
- 浩然 Haoran今天我请客，你不用付钱。Jīntiān wǒ qǐngkè, nǐ bùyòng fù qián.I'll treat today, you don't need to pay.
- 雨婷 Yuting真的吗？你平时像个小气鬼。Zhēnde ma? Nǐ píngshí xiàng gè xiǎoqìguǐ.Really? You're usually like a cheapskate.
- 浩然 Haoran我才不是小气鬼！Wǒ cái bùshì xiǎoqìguǐ!I am not a cheapskate!
- 雨婷 Yuting好吧，谢谢你，浩然。Hǎo ba, xièxiè nǐ, Hàorán.Alright, thank you, Haoran.
