Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While tacaño is the standard term, you may encounter other variations depending on the setting. Rata is a slang term for someone who is extremely stingy, and codo/a is an informal way to describe someone unwilling to spend money. In Spain, the colloquial term agarrado is frequently used to call someone a cheapskate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, codo is used as a slang term for a cheapskate. The term amarrado/a is also used informally to express that someone is unwilling to spend money. Though it literally means 'tied up', it functions as a descriptor for stinginess.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on gender and number. Use tacaño for a male, tacaña for a female, tacaños for a group of men or a mixed group and tacañas for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
/taˈkaɲo/
Did you know?
- In some regions, people use the phrase tener el codo duro meaning 'to have a hard elbow' to describe someone who cannot reach into their pocket to pay.
- The word tacaño likely evolved from the Hebrew word takaná, which referred to a religious ordinance or rule.
- The Italian word taccagno is a close relative to the Spanish tacaño, showing how similar terms for stinginess exist across Mediterranean languages.
Examples in context
- Eres un tacaño.You're a cheapskate.This example is useful for practicing the use of tacaño to describe a person.Tatoeba #620211 by Shishir, translation #9837097 by kremel
- Maria es un poco tacaña, siempre busca la forma de gastar lo menos posible, incluso en sus cumpleaños.Maria is a bit of a cheapskate, she always tries to spend as little as possible, even on her birthdays.
- No seas un tacaño con la propina.Don't be a cheapskate with the tip.
- Mi jefe es un tacaño.My boss is a cheapskate.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are deciding who pays for dinner.
- JavierHoy no quiero pagar la cuenta.I don't want to pay the bill today.
- ElenaJavier, ¡qué tacaño eres!Javier, what a cheapskate you are!
- JavierSolo estoy ahorrando dinero.I am just saving money.
- ElenaEstá bien, yo pago esta vez.It is okay, I will pay this time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tacaño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tacaño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
