精打细算
jīng dǎ xì suàn
Meticulous planning and budgeting · trad. 精打細算
Exercising extreme care and precision when managing finances or other resources. It describes a person who budgets meticulously, ensuring everything is used efficiently and wisely to avoid waste.
What does 精打细算 (jīng dǎ xì suàn) mean?
精打细算 (jīng dǎ xì suàn) means "meticulous planning and budgeting" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "meticulously calculate and carefully plan."
Character by character
- 精 jīng refined, meticulous
- 打 dǎ calculate, strike
- 细 xì fine, detailed
- 算 suàn calculate, reckon
When to use it
Commonly applied to household finances and managing money, but extends to any situation requiring careful allocation of limited resources. It conveys a sense of frugality and resourcefulness, often implying a need to make ends meet.
Example
在妈妈的精打细算下,家里的生活一天比一天好。
Zài māma de jīng dǎ xì suàn xià, jiāli de shēnghuó yìtiān bǐ yìtiān hǎo.
Thanks to Mom's meticulous budgeting, our family's life improved day by day.
Pro tip: The emphasis is on the diligent process of planning and calculating, highlighting the effort involved in wise resource management, rather than merely the outcome of being thrifty.
Related idioms
斤斤计较 · Fussing over trifles筋疲力尽 · Physical exhaustion举世闻名 · World famous
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