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mezquino

mess-KEE-noh/mesˈkino/

stingy

Also: miserly, paltry
A person holding a single small coin tightly while pulling a large bag of money away from others.

📝 In Action

No seas mezquino y deja una buena propina.

A2

Don't be stingy and leave a good tip.

Es un hombre rico, pero muy mezquino con su familia.

B1

He is a rich man, but very miserly with his family.

Nos dieron una ración mezquina de comida.

B2

They gave us a paltry serving of food.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • generoso (generous)
  • esprendido (selfless/giving)

Common Collocations

  • sueldo mezquino – paltry salary
  • propina mezquina – stingy tip

mean-spirited

Also: despicable, vile
A person intentionally knocking over another person's sandcastle on a beach.

📝 In Action

Fue un gesto mezquino burlarse de su error.

B2

It was a mean-spirited gesture to mock his mistake.

Sus intenciones eran mezquinas desde el principio.

C1

His intentions were despicable from the start.

No pierdas tiempo con gente mezquina.

B1

Don't waste time with nasty/small-minded people.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ruin (mean/despicable)
  • vil (vile)

Antonyms

  • noble (noble)
  • altruista (altruistic)

Common Collocations

  • un acto mezquino – a despicable act
  • sentimientos mezquinos – mean-spirited feelings

wart

NounmC2informal
Mexico and Central America
A close-up of a finger with a small, raised bump on the skin.

📝 In Action

Me salió un mezquino en el dedo.

B1

I got a wart on my finger.

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mezquino

Question 1 of 3

If someone is 'mezquino' with their money, they are...

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
mezquindad(stinginess/mean-spiritedness) — Noun
mezquinamente(stingily/meanly) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Arabic word 'miskīn,' which means 'poor' or 'needy.' Over time in Spanish, it shifted from meaning someone who HAS nothing to someone who WANTS to give nothing.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: mesquinItalian: meschino

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'mezquino' an insult?

Yes, it is generally negative. Calling someone mezquino suggests they are selfish or lack a noble spirit.

Can I use 'mezquino' for a small amount of food?

Yes! You can say 'una porción mezquina' to describe a serving that is disappointingly small.

How is it different from 'tacaño'?

'Tacaño' is the everyday word for 'cheap.' 'Mezquino' is stronger and implies a moral defect or being 'small-minded.'