ขี้เหนียว

Explanation

ขี้เหนียว describes someone who is reluctant to spend money, give things away, or share with others. It suggests more than sensible thrift: the person holds back even when spending or giving would be appropriate. Here, ขี้ marks a strong or habitual personal tendency, as it does in words such as ขี้อาย (“shy”). เหนียว literally means “sticky.” The expression evokes the image of money or possessions sticking to someone's hands and being difficult to let go of. It can serve as a predicate, as in เขาขี้เหนียว (“He/She is stingy”), or follow a noun, as in คนขี้เหนียว (“a stingy person”).

Usage

It is commonly used when criticizing someone who avoids paying their share, refuses reasonable expenses despite having enough money, or is unwilling to share. Among friends, it may also be used teasingly, as in “Don't be so stingy.”

Caution

This word criticizes a person's character, so saying it directly to someone can be insulting. Avoid it in formal situations or when speaking about a superior. It describes unwillingness to spend or share; it does not mean that an item has a low price.

1 stingy synonyms

• ขี้ตืด

  ขี้ตืด is a highly colloquial word for “stingy” and can sound more mocking or insulting. ขี้เหนียว is also negative but is more widely used in ordinary speech.

• ตระหนี่

  ตระหนี่ also means “stingy,” but it is somewhat more formal and is common in writing. ขี้เหนียว is more conversational and sounds like a direct criticism of someone's character.

• ประหยัด

  ประหยัด means being economical and avoiding waste, usually neutrally or positively. ขี้เหนียว criticizes someone for being unwilling to spend or share when it would be reasonable.