bakhil

Bakhil is a term used in Hindi, Urdu, and several related South Asian languages to describe a person who is excessively unwilling to spend money or share resources. As an adjective, it characterizes behavior that is parsimonious or stingy; as a noun, bakhil can refer to a person who embodies those traits. The word generally carries a negative connotation, signaling disapproval of such thrift or miserliness. In some contexts, it may be used humorously or ironically rather than as a harsh insult.

Etymology and linguistic notes: The word is borrowed into Urdu and Hindi from Persian بخیل (bakhil), which in turn is related to Arabic lexical items referring to stinginess. In contemporary usage, bakhil appears across formal and informal registers and can be found in prose, poetry, film dialogue, and everyday speech. Variants in transliteration include bakheel or bakhil, reflecting different conventions for rendering South Asian pronunciation in English.

Usage and nuance: Bakhil describes both monetary frugality and a reluctance to share or help others. It can be applied to attitudes toward money, time, or resources in general. While usually negative, the term can be used lightheartedly among friends or within satirical critique in literature and media.

See also: stinginess, niggardliness, parsimonious, miserliness. In cultural contexts, bakhil is often contrasted with generosity and hospitality, values highly regarded in many South Asian communities, where extravagant sharing is commonly expected in social and ceremonial settings.