Inklingo

How to Say "stingy" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stingy” is “tacaño” — use this word for someone who generally dislikes spending money, often to an extreme degree. It's a very common and widely understood term.

English → Spanish

tacaño

adjectiveA2general
Use this word for someone who generally dislikes spending money, often to an extreme degree. It's a very common and widely understood term.

Examples

Mi tío es muy tacaño y nunca deja propina.

My uncle is very stingy and never leaves a tip.

agarrado

ah-gah-rah-doha.ɣa.ˈra.ðo

adjectiveB1general
This term implies someone is tight-fisted and reluctant to part with their money, often suggesting they are a bit cheap.
A character holding a single coin very tightly to their chest with both hands.

Examples

No esperes que te invite, es un poco agarrado.

Don't expect him to treat you; he's a bit stingy.

Mi jefe es tan agarrado que nunca compra café para la oficina.

My boss is so cheap that he never buys coffee for the office.

Aunque tiene mucho dinero, siempre ha sido una persona muy agarrada.

Even though she has a lot of money, she has always been a very tight-fisted person.

Use with 'Ser'

When talking about someone being stingy as a personality trait, always use the verb 'ser' (to be).

Noun usage

You can use this word as a noun. Instead of saying 'He is stingy,' you can say 'He is a stingy one' (Es un agarrado).

Confusing 'Estar' and 'Ser'

Mistake: “Él está agarrado.”

Correction: Él es agarrado.

apretado

ah-preh-TAH-doha.pɾe.ˈta.ðo

adjectiveB2general
Use this when someone is showing a clear reluctance to spend, especially in situations where spending is expected, like tipping.
A person holding a single coin very tightly in their closed fist, unwilling to let go.

Examples

No seas apretado, deja una buena propina.

Don't be stingy, leave a good tip.

codo

KOH-dohˈkoðo

adjectiveB2informal
This informal term describes someone who is extremely unwilling to spend money, often implying they are cheap or miserly.
A person tightly clutching a small bag of coins to their chest.

Examples

No quiso dejar propina, ¡es bien codo!

He didn't want to leave a tip, he's so stingy!

Ella nunca invita a nada porque es una coda.

She never treats anyone to anything because she is cheap.

Gender change

Unlike the body part, when 'codo' is an adjective, it changes to 'coda' if you are describing a woman.

mezquino

mess-KEE-nohmesˈkino

adjectiveB1general
This word can also mean stingy, but it often carries a stronger negative connotation, implying meanness or pettiness in how resources are handled.
A person holding a single small coin tightly while pulling a large bag of money away from others.

Examples

No seas mezquino y deja una buena propina.

Don't be stingy and leave a good tip.

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

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

Nos dieron una ración mezquina de comida.

They gave us a paltry serving of food.

Gender and Number

This word must match the person or thing it describes. Use 'mezquino' for a man or masculine object, and 'mezquina' for a woman or feminine object.

Mezquino vs. Tacaño

Mistake: “Using 'mezquino' for just a regular 'cheap' person.”

Correction: While they are similar, 'mezquino' sounds more formal and often implies the person is morally small-minded, not just careful with money.

Choosing Between 'Tacaño' and 'Agarrado'

The most common confusion is between 'tacaño' and 'agarrado'. 'Tacaño' is the most general and frequent term for a stingy person. 'Agarrado' is also very common and implies someone is holding onto their money tightly.

Related Translations

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