Genügsame

Genügsame is a German adjective describing a person or a lifestyle that is content with little or with modest means. A génügsamer person is not seeking extravagance or constant novelty, but is satisfied with what one has and with simple pleasures. The term can be used in a positive sense, highlighting restraint and practicality, or in a neutral to slightly critical sense when describing a lack of ambition or aspiration.

Etymology and forms: Genügsam is formed from genügen (to be sufficient) and the suffix -sam, which denotes a quality. The adjective agrees with the noun in gender and case, for example: ein genügsamer Mensch, eine genügsame Person, das genügsame Leben. The corresponding noun is Genügsamkeit, meaning the quality of being content with little or of having modest demands.

Usage and nuance: In contemporary German, genügsam is often associated with frugality, sustainability, and a preference for quality over quantity. It can describe a personal attitude, a lifestyle choice, or a characteristic of a character in literature. While generally positive, the term may imply a critical view when used to suggest a person lacks ambition or fails to strive for more in a given context.

Related terms: Genügsamkeit (noun), bescheiden, Zufriedenheit, Einfachheit. In cultural discussions, genügsamkeit is frequently connected to minimalist or sustainable living, especially in debates about consumption and materialism.