しみったれた

• Reading: しみったれた
• Romaji: shimittareta
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.mit.ta.ɾe.ta/

Meaning

Stingy; miserly; mean; tightfisted. Describes someone excessively reluctant to spend money or share resources, in a way that seems petty or shameful.

An adjectival expression (the past form of しみったれる) typically written in hiragana. It carries a colloquial, somewhat contemptuous tone, suggesting not just frugality but a pettiness that borders on the shameful. Often used to criticise someone's behaviour in a specific instance rather than their overall character.

Examples

1. しみったれた真似はやめて、たまには奢ってくれてもいいじゃないか。 Stop being so stingy — would it kill you to treat me once in a while?
2. そんなしみったれた考えでは、部下の信頼を得ることはできない。 With that kind of tightfisted attitude, you'll never earn the trust of your subordinates.
3. 彼はしみったれた態度で、チップも出さずに店を出た。 He left the restaurant in a miserly fashion, without even leaving a tip.

Usage Guide

Context: money, criticism, character description, humour

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From しみる (shimiru, to penetrate/stain) combined with the suffix -ったれた, conveying the idea of being so steeped in stinginess that it permeates one's character. Related to しみじみ (deeply/thoroughly) in etymology.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General