adjective HSK 6
stingy · miserly · to begrudge
Meaning
This character describes someone who is unwilling to share, spend money, or give freely. It conveys a sense of being tight-fisted or reluctant to part with resources, whether material goods, time, or effort.
Usage
吝 is primarily used in written or formal contexts and is rarely used alone in modern spoken Mandarin. It commonly appears in compound words like 吝啬 (lìnsè, stingy) or literary expressions like 不吝赐教 (bù lìn cì jiào, please don't hesitate to give advice). The tone is generally negative.
Examples
- 01他对朋友从不吝啬帮助。.He never begrudges helping his friends.
- 02如有不妥之处，请不吝赐教。, .If there are any inappropriate parts, please don't hesitate to give your advice.
Common collocations
- 不吝not to begrudge, willing to
- 不吝赐教please don't hesitate to give advice
- 不吝惜not to stint, willing to give
Antonyms
Origin
The character 吝 combines the radical 文 (pattern, refinement) with 口 (mouth), originally suggesting being sparing or reluctant with one's words, which extended to mean stingy or miserly in general.