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Stingy
بخيل (bakhīl) is an adjective meaning 'stingy' or 'miserly,' describing someone who is unwilling to spend money or give generously. It carries a negative connotation and is commonly used to criticize someone's reluctance to share or spend resources. This word reflects cultural values in Arab societies that emphasize generosity and hospitality.
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هذا الرجل بخيل جداً ولا يساعد أحداً.
Hādhā al-rajul bakhīl jiddan wa-lā yusāʿid aḥadan.
This man is very stingy and doesn't help anyone.
لا تكن بخيلاً بوقتك مع عائلتك.
Lā takun bakhīlan bi-waqtika maʿa ʿāʾilatika.
Don't be stingy with your time with your family.
يعتبر البخل من الصفات السيئة في ثقافتنا.
Yuʿtabar al-bukhl min al-sifāt al-sayyiʾah fī thaqāfatinā.
Stinginess is considered a bad trait in our culture.
هو بخيل في إنفاقه على نفسه وعلى غيره.
Huwa bakhīl fī infāqih ʿalā nafsih wa-ʿalā ghayrih.
He is stingy in spending on himself and on others.
الشخص البخيل لا يشعر بالسعادة الحقيقية.
Al-shakhṣ al-bakhīl lā yashaʿur bi-al-saʿādah al-ḥaqīqiyyah.
A stingy person does not feel true happiness.
In Arab culture, generosity (كرم karam) is highly valued and considered a mark of honor and nobility, while stinginess is viewed with disdain. The concept of hospitality and sharing with others is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings and Bedouin traditions, making بخيل a particularly strong criticism. Calling someone بخيل is a serious insult in many Arab societies, as it goes against fundamental cultural values of honor and community spirit.
Use بخيل to describe someone's unwillingness to spend money or be generous. It's primarily used as an adjective and can apply to both men and women (with gender agreement: بخيل for masculine, بخيلة for feminine). Be cautious when using this word as it's a strong negative descriptor—it's better reserved for serious criticism rather than casual remarks. You can also use it abstractly, saying someone is 'stingy with time' or 'stingy with help' to mean they're unwilling to give these things.
The Arabic word بخيل (bakhīl) is an adjective that means 'stingy,' 'miserly,' or 'unwilling to spend.' It describes someone who is reluctant to part with money or resources and is unwilling to be generous. This word carries a distinctly negative connotation in Arabic-speaking cultures and is used to criticize someone's lack of generosity or their excessive attachment to material possessions.
بخيل functions as a descriptive adjective in Arabic. It follows gender agreement rules:
The related noun form is البخل (al-bukhl), meaning 'stinginess' or 'miserliness.' The verb form is بخل (bakhila), meaning 'to be stingy' or 'to withhold.'
You can use بخيل in various contexts:
In Arab culture, generosity (الكرم al-karam) is one of the most cherished virtues, deeply rooted in Islamic teachings and Bedouin traditions of hospitality. The concept of being generous with guests, family, and those in need is fundamental to Arab identity and honor. Therefore, calling someone بخيل is a serious criticism and insult, as it contradicts core cultural values.
The word reflects a society that values communal bonds, hospitality, and sharing resources with others. Historically, Arab Bedouins were known for their exceptional generosity despite living in harsh desert environments, and this tradition continues to influence modern Arab societies. A بخيل person is seen as lacking honor and dignity, someone who has lost touch with fundamental human values.
Similar words to بخيل include:
The opposite concept is expressed by:
When learning to use بخيل, remember that it's a strong descriptor with significant cultural weight. Don't use it casually as you might in English—it's a serious accusation of lacking an important virtue. The word can also be used abstractly, extending beyond just money to mean being stingy with time, attention, help, or any resource. Pay attention to gender agreement when using the feminine form (بخيلة) and plural forms (بخلاء) in sentences.
Understanding بخيل goes beyond learning a simple vocabulary word; it involves understanding Arab cultural values that prioritize generosity, honor, and community. This word embodies criticism of a fundamental character flaw in Arab society, making it one of the more culturally significant negative descriptors in Arabic.