geizige

Geizige is a German adjective meaning stingy or miserly, used to describe a person who is excessively reluctant to spend money or resources. It generally carries a negative connotation and implies a harsh or uncompromising attitude toward spending.

In usage, geizige is the attributive form of geizig and can appear before a noun with definite article in singular form: der geizige Mann, die geizige Frau, das geizige Kind. The form changes with other cases or without a definite article, following standard German adjective declension. As a predicate adjective, one would typically say, "Er ist geizig" (He is stingy).

Etymology and related terms: geizig derives from the noun Geiz, meaning stinginess or greed. The word has centuries of usage in German and is closely related to other terms describing frugality and miserly behavior. Related expressions include Geizkragen (informal, insulting term for a stingy person) and less harsh alternatives such as sparsam (thrifty) or großzügig (generous), which contrast with geizig in tone and meaning.

Usage notes: geizig is commonly used in everyday speech and prose to describe someone who hoards money or resources beyond what is reasonable. It is broadly negative, though its strength can vary by context. In cultural or humorous contexts, phrases like “Geiz ist geil” have appeared, reflecting social attitudes toward thrift and consumer culture.

See also: Geiz (stinginess), Geizkragen, sparsam, großzügig.