Low maintenance
Meaning: A person who is easy-going and doesn't require a lot of attention, effort, or expensive treatment in a relationship.
Being low maintenance means you don't need constant reassurance, expensive dates, or nonstop attention. It's generally considered a positive trait in American dating — someone who's happy with a burger and a movie instead of a five-star restaurant. However, some argue the label pressures people (especially women) to suppress their needs.
Examples
- She's so low maintenance — happy with pizza and Netflix. 她超级好养活——有披萨和Netflix就很开心了。Es súper fácil de llevar: con una pizza y Netflix ya es feliz.彼女はすごく手がかからないタイプ——ピザとNetflixで幸せなんだよ。그녀는 정말 손이 안 가는 타입이야 — 피자랑 넷플릭스만으로도 행복해해.
- I like to think I'm low maintenance. I don't need flowers and fancy dinners. 我觉得自己算是比较好养活的那种。不需要鲜花和高级晚餐。Me considero una persona poco exigente. No necesito flores ni cenas elegantes.自分では手がかからないほうだと思ってる。花束や高級ディナーは必要ないし。나는 손이 안 가는 편이라고 생각해. 꽃다발이나 고급 디너 같은 건 필요 없거든.
- Low maintenance doesn't mean no maintenance. Everyone needs some effort. 好养活不代表完全不用花心思。每个人都需要一些付出。Que alguien sea poco exigente no significa que no necesite nada. Todo el mundo necesita algo de esfuerzo.手がかからないからって、何もしなくていいわけじゃないよ。誰だって多少の努力は必要。손이 안 간다고 해서 아무 노력도 안 해도 된다는 건 아니야. 누구나 어느 정도의 노력은 필요해.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: dating profiles, relationship descriptions, self-descriptions
Tone: positive, casual
✓ Do Say
- She's super low maintenance.她超级好养活。Es súper fácil de llevar.彼女は本当に手がかからないタイプだよ。그녀는 정말 손이 안 가는 타입이야.
- I consider myself pretty low maintenance.我觉得自己还挺好养活的。Me considero una persona bastante poco exigente.自分ではけっこう手がかからないほうだと思ってるんだ。나는 꽤 손이 안 가는 편이라고 생각해.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use it to shame someone for having standards — everyone deserves effort不要用这个词来贬低别人有自己的标准——每个人都值得被认真对待No lo uses para avergonzar a alguien por tener estándares: todo el mundo merece que se esfuercen por él/ella基準を持っている人を恥じるために使わないこと——誰もが努力を受ける価値がある기준이 있는 사람을 비난하는 데 사용하지 말 것 — 누구나 노력받을 자격이 있다
Origin & History
Borrowed from mechanical/engineering language (a low-maintenance car needs fewer repairs). Applied to people and relationships since at least the 1990s. Popularized by the 1989 film 'When Harry Met Sally,' where Sally is described as 'high maintenance who thinks she's low maintenance.'
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s onward
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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