ケチ

• Reading: けち
• Romaji: kechi
• Pronunciation: /ke.tɕi/

Meaning

Stingy; cheap; miserly. Describes a person who is excessively reluctant to spend money.

A na-adjective and noun typically written in katakana. Used both as an adjective (ケチな人, a stingy person) and as a noun (あの人はケチだ, that person is cheap). Carries a distinctly negative nuance. The verb form ケチる means 'to be stingy about' or 'to skimp on.' More casual and blunt than 倹約 (frugal).

Examples

1. あの人はケチだからおごってくれない。 He's so cheap that he never treats anyone.
2. ケチなことを言わないでみんなで楽しもう。 Don't be stingy — let's all just have a good time.
3. 食費をケチると健康に悪い。 Skimping on food is bad for your health.

Usage Guide

Context: money, personality, complaints

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Likely derived from 怪しからぬ (keshikaranu, improper/outrageous), which was shortened to ケチ over time. Another theory traces it to 'dirt' or 'flaw,' suggesting something marred by pettiness.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal