21 December 2025
How do you say that someone is stingy in German?
In the sense of lacking generosity, “stingy” can have several different translations in German. The main word for “miserly” or “cheap” is geizig. Its corresponding noun Geiz (m.) means “stinginess”. A stingy person can be called a Geizhals (“miser” or “scrooge” - literally “stingy-neck”). Another word is knauserig, with the noun being Knauser (m.).
Examples
Der alte Knauser ist so geizig. That old miser is so cheap.Du bist so ein knauseriger Geizhals. You’re such a stingy cheapskate.
Another Meaning
In the sense of “petty” and “small-minded”, the German word is kleinlich. A “thrifty” or “frugal” person is sparsam. Both nouns end in -keit and are feminine: die Kleinlichkeit and die Sparsamkeit.
Examples
Diese ständige Kleinlichkeit geht mir wirklich auf die Nerven. This constant pettiness is really getting on my nerves.
Er ist sehr sparsam und achtet auf jeden Cent. He’s very frugal and watches every cent.
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