Mnemonic
Butler Alfred is the most frugal servant you'll ever meet. Rather than hiring entertainers, he stitches a puppet from scrap fabric and performs free shows for dinner guests. Alfred mends the same puppet year after year, never spending a cent—true frugal mastery.
Additional thoughts
Picture Alfred in his suit, carefully sewing a worn puppet by candlelight to save on electricity. The image of a dignified butler choosing a hand-puppet over costly entertainment locks in the frugal meaning.Quick recall
Butler Alfred entertains with a patched-up puppet instead of spending money—perfectly frugal.Details
The keyword for 倹 is frugal. This kanji refers to the quality of being thrifty, economical, and careful with one's resources, avoiding wastefulness and excess spending. It conveys the virtue of modesty in consumption and living within one's means. In traditional East Asian values, frugality was considered an important moral quality, reflecting self-discipline and consideration for the future.
- On'yomi
- けん
- Kun'yomi
- つま.しい、つづまやか