Avaro: Mastering Spanish Words for Stinginess and Cheapness

Understanding how to express concepts like “stingy” or “cheap” is crucial for effective communication in any language. Spanish offers several words to convey these ideas, each with slightly different connotations and usage patterns. This article will delve into the intricacies of the Spanish word avaro, along with related terms for stinginess and cheapness, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of how to use them correctly. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced Spanish learner, this guide will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your fluency.

This comprehensive guide is beneficial for students, travelers, business professionals, and anyone interested in mastering the nuances of the Spanish language. By learning to differentiate between these terms, you can express yourself more accurately and avoid potential misunderstandings.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Defining Avaro and Related Terms
   • Avaro
   • Tacaño
   • Agarrado
   • Codo
   • Mezquino
   • Barato
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of Stinginess
5. Examples of Usage
   • Avaro Examples
   • Tacaño Examples
   • Agarrado Examples
   • Codo Examples
   • Mezquino Examples
   • Barato Examples
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Defining Avaro and Related Terms

Spanish offers a rich vocabulary to describe stinginess and cheapness. While avaro is a central term, several other words provide nuanced meanings. Understanding these terms is essential for precise communication.

Avaro

Avaro is a Spanish adjective and noun that describes someone who hoards wealth and is unwilling to spend money, even when necessary. It suggests a deep-seated greed and an excessive attachment to money. The term implies a moral failing related to excessive materialism. An avaro not only avoids spending but actively seeks to accumulate more wealth, often at the expense of others or their own well-being. It’s a strong term and carries a negative connotation. The word avaricia translates to avarice or greed, which is the noun form of this characteristic.

Tacaño

Tacaño is a more common and less severe term than avaro. It describes someone who is stingy or tight-fisted, but not necessarily driven by a deep-seated greed. A tacaño is reluctant to spend money, often preferring cheaper options or avoiding spending altogether. This term is more widely used in everyday conversation and is generally considered less harsh than avaro. It describes someone who is simply unwilling to part with their money, often to a degree that others find unreasonable or annoying.

Agarrado

Agarrado is another word for stingy, but it can also imply being thrifty or economical. The connotation can vary depending on the context. While it often suggests a reluctance to spend money, it can also describe someone who is careful with their finances and avoids unnecessary expenses. It’s a more colloquial term and can sometimes be used playfully. This word can also be used to describe someone who is stubborn and unwilling to let go of something, either literally or figuratively. The precise meaning is often dependent on the context and tone of the conversation.

Codo

Codo literally translates to “elbow,” but it’s used metaphorically to describe someone who is extremely stingy. The image is of someone keeping their arm tightly bent to their side, guarding their possessions. Codo is a very informal and often humorous term. It’s used to describe someone who is comically tight-fisted, often to an absurd degree. It’s a strong term that implies a very high level of stinginess, and it’s often used in a lighthearted or teasing manner.

Mezquino

Mezquino describes someone who is not only stingy with money but also with their generosity, kindness, or affection. It implies a lack of generosity in both material and emotional terms. A mezquino person is unwilling to share anything, whether it’s their money, their time, or their feelings. This term carries a strong negative connotation and suggests a lack of empathy and compassion. It goes beyond mere stinginess and implies a deeper character flaw.

Barato

Barato translates to “cheap” or “inexpensive.” While not directly describing a person, it’s related to the concept of cheapness. It describes something that is low in price. Understanding barato is important because stingy people often seek out barato items or services. The term is neutral in itself, simply describing the price point of a product or service. However, the pursuit of barato options can be a characteristic of someone who is tacaño or avaro.

Structural Breakdown

The words discussed above are primarily adjectives, used to describe nouns (people or things). They follow the standard rules of Spanish adjective agreement, changing form to agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.

• Avaro/Avara: Masculine/Feminine singular
• Avaros/Avaras: Masculine/Feminine plural
• Tacaño/Tacaña: Masculine/Feminine singular
• Tacaños/Tacañas: Masculine/Feminine plural
• Agarrado/Agarrada: Masculine/Feminine singular
• Agarrados/Agarradas: Masculine/Feminine plural
• Codo/Coda: Masculine/Feminine singular (less common in feminine form)
• Codos/Codas: Masculine/Feminine plural (less common in feminine form)
• Mezquino/Mezquina: Masculine/Feminine singular
• Mezquinos/Mezquinas: Masculine/Feminine plural
• Barato/Barata: Masculine/Feminine singular
• Baratos/Baratas: Masculine/Feminine plural

These adjectives are typically placed after the noun they modify, although they can be placed before for emphasis or stylistic effect. For example: “El hombre avaro” (The stingy man) or “Un avaro hombre” (A stingy man).

Types and Categories of Stinginess

Stinginess can manifest in various ways, and understanding these different categories can help you use the appropriate Spanish term.

1. Hoarding: This involves accumulating wealth and being unwilling to spend it, even on necessities. Avaro is the most appropriate term for this type of stinginess.
2. Reluctance to Spend: This involves being unwilling to spend money, even on reasonable expenses. Tacaño and agarrado are suitable terms for this.
3. Bargain Hunting: This involves actively seeking out the cheapest possible options, even if it means sacrificing quality or convenience. This is related to the use of barato.
4. Lack of Generosity: This involves being unwilling to share resources or help others. Mezquino is the best term for this type of stinginess.
5. Comical Stinginess: This involves being so stingy that it becomes absurd or humorous. Codo is the most appropriate term for this.

Examples of Usage

The following tables provide examples of how to use each term in context. Pay attention to the nuances of each word and how it affects the overall meaning of the sentence.

Avaro Examples

The following table provides several examples of ‘Avaro’ in different contexts.

Sentence	Translation
Es un avaro que nunca dona a la caridad.	He is a miser who never donates to charity.
La avara anciana guardaba todo su dinero bajo el colchón.	The greedy old woman kept all her money under the mattress.
Su avaricia lo consumió por completo.	His avarice consumed him completely.
No seas avaro; comparte tus conocimientos con los demás.	Don’t be greedy; share your knowledge with others.
El avaro rey no quería gastar nada en su pueblo.	The miserly king didn’t want to spend anything on his people.
Era tan avaro que incluso regateaba por un pedazo de pan.	He was so stingy that he even haggled for a piece of bread.
La leyenda cuenta la historia de un espíritu avaro que custodiaba un tesoro.	The legend tells the story of a greedy spirit guarding a treasure.
Su actitud avara le impidió disfrutar de la vida.	His stingy attitude prevented him from enjoying life.
El hombre avaro murió solo y sin amigos.	The miserly man died alone and without friends.
La gente lo consideraba un avaro debido a su obsesión por el dinero.	People considered him a miser because of his obsession with money.
Se comportó como un avaro, negándose a ayudar a su propia familia.	He behaved like a miser, refusing to help his own family.
La avara corporación explotaba a sus trabajadores para maximizar las ganancias.	The greedy corporation exploited its workers to maximize profits.
El avaro propietario nunca invirtió en el mantenimiento del edificio.	The stingy landlord never invested in the maintenance of the building.
Su avaricia era tan grande que no podía disfrutar de las cosas simples de la vida.	His greed was so great that he couldn’t enjoy the simple things in life.
No seas tan avaro, invita a tus amigos a cenar de vez en cuando.	Don’t be so stingy, invite your friends to dinner once in a while.
El avaro millonario vivía como un mendigo.	The miserly millionaire lived like a beggar.
La avaricia es un vicio que corrompe el alma.	Greed is a vice that corrupts the soul.
Era conocido por ser el hombre más avaro del pueblo.	He was known as the most stingy man in town.
Su avaricia le impidió ser feliz.	His greed prevented him from being happy.
El avaro personaje de la novela es un ejemplo de los peligros de la codicia.	The miserly character in the novel is an example of the dangers of greed.

Tacaño Examples

The following table provides several examples of ‘Tacaño’ in different contexts.

Sentence	Translation
Mi jefe es muy tacaño; nunca ofrece aumentos.	My boss is very stingy; he never offers raises.
No seas tacaña; invita a tus amigos a algo.	Don’t be cheap; treat your friends to something.
Es un poco tacaño con el aire acondicionado.	He’s a bit stingy with the air conditioning.
No seas tacaño con los elogios; reconoce el buen trabajo.	Don’t be stingy with praise; acknowledge good work.
Es un tacaño que siempre busca cupones de descuento.	He’s a cheapskate who always looks for discount coupons.
Mi vecino es tan tacaño que reutiliza las bolsitas de té.	My neighbor is so stingy that he reuses tea bags.
No quiero parecer tacaña, pero no puedo permitirme ese lujo.	I don’t want to seem cheap, but I can’t afford that luxury.
¿Por qué eres tan tacaño con la sal?	Why are you so stingy with the salt?
Era conocido por ser un poco tacaño en las propinas.	He was known for being a bit stingy with tips.
La empresa es muy tacaña con los beneficios para los empleados.	The company is very stingy with employee benefits.
No seas tacaño con tu tiempo; ayúdame con esto.	Don’t be stingy with your time; help me with this.
Mi abuelo es un tacaño de corazón.	My grandfather is a cheapskate at heart.
Es demasiado tacaño para comprar regalos de cumpleaños.	He’s too stingy to buy birthday presents.
No seas tan tacaño; comparte tu comida con nosotros.	Don’t be so cheap; share your food with us.
El restaurante es tacaño con las porciones.	The restaurant is stingy with the portions.
Era tacaño hasta el punto de ser ridículo.	He was stingy to the point of being ridiculous.
No seas tacaña con tu amor; exprésalo libremente.	Don’t be stingy with your love; express it freely.
Es un tacaño que siempre busca la oferta más barata.	He’s a cheapskate who always looks for the cheapest deal.
No seas tan tacaño con los cumplidos; son gratis.	Don’t be so stingy with compliments; they’re free.
Es un tacaño que cuenta cada centavo.	He’s a cheapskate who counts every penny.

Agarrado Examples

The following table provides several examples of ‘Agarrado’ in different contexts.

Sentence	Translation
Es un poco agarrado, pero muy trabajador.	He’s a bit tight-fisted, but very hardworking.
Mi abuela es muy agarrada con el dinero.	My grandmother is very thrifty with money.
No seas tan agarrado; relájate y disfruta.	Don’t be so stingy; relax and enjoy yourself.
Es un agarrado que siempre busca descuentos.	He’s a cheapskate who always looks for discounts.
Es un poco agarrado con sus posesiones.	He’s a bit possessive of his belongings.
Mi tío es agarrado con el vino; siempre guarda las mejores botellas para sí mismo.	My uncle is stingy with the wine; he always keeps the best bottles for himself.
No seas tan agarrada; comparte tus juguetes con tus hermanos.	Don’t be so possessive; share your toys with your siblings.
Es un agarrado que nunca invita a nadie a comer.	He’s a cheapskate who never invites anyone to eat.
No quiero parecer agarrada, pero necesito ahorrar dinero.	I don’t want to seem stingy, but I need to save money.
Es un agarrado con sus secretos.	He’s secretive with his secrets.
Era tan agarrado que apagaba las luces para ahorrar energía.	He was so stingy that he turned off the lights to save energy.
No seas agarrado con tu conocimiento; compártelo con los demás.	Don’t be stingy with your knowledge; share it with others.
Es un agarrado que siempre pide prestado pero nunca devuelve.	He’s a cheapskate who always borrows but never returns.
No seas tan agarrada con tus sentimientos; exprésalos.	Don’t be so reserved with your feelings; express them.
Es un agarrado con los cumplidos.	He’s stingy with compliments.
Mi abuela es agarrada pero siempre tiene dinero para emergencias.	My grandmother is thrifty but always has money for emergencies.
No seas tan agarrado; comparte tus ideas con el equipo.	Don’t be so guarded; share your ideas with the team.
Es un agarrado que nunca compra nada nuevo.	He’s a cheapskate who never buys anything new.
No seas tan agarrada con tu tiempo; ayúdame con este proyecto.	Don’t be so tight-fisted with your time; help me with this project.
Es un agarrado que siempre busca la ganga.	He’s a cheapskate who always looks for a bargain.

Codo Examples

The following table provides several examples of ‘Codo’ in different contexts.

Sentence	Translation
¡Qué codo eres! No quieres ni invitar a un café.	You’re such a cheapskate! You won’t even buy a coffee.
Es tan codo que guarda las sobras de comida para la semana.	He’s so stingy that he saves food scraps for the week.
No seas codo, hombre; comparte la pizza.	Don’t be a cheapskate, man; share the pizza.
Es un codo de primera; nunca paga su parte.	He’s a top-notch cheapskate; he never pays his share.
¡Qué coda! No quiere prestar ni un lápiz.	What a tightwad! She won’t even lend a pencil.
Es tan codo que mide la cantidad de papel higiénico que usa.	He’s so stingy that he measures the amount of toilet paper he uses.
No seas codo; invita a tus amigos a tu fiesta.	Don’t be a cheapskate; invite your friends to your party.
Es un codo que siempre busca la forma de no gastar.	He’s a cheapskate who always looks for ways not to spend.
¡Qué codo eres! Ni siquiera quieres comprar un regalo.	You’re such a cheapskate! You don’t even want to buy a gift.
Es tan codo que se queja si tiene que pagar un euro.	He’s so stingy that he complains if he has to pay a euro.
No seas codo; da una buena propina al camarero.	Don’t be a cheapskate; give the waiter a good tip.
Es un codo que prefiere caminar kilómetros antes de pagar el autobús.	He’s a cheapskate who prefers to walk miles rather than pay for the bus.
¡Qué codo eres! No quieres ni comprar una bebida.	You’re such a cheapskate! You don’t even want to buy a drink.
Es tan codo que reutiliza las bolsas de plástico una y otra vez.	He’s so stingy that he reuses plastic bags over and over.
No seas codo; invita a tus compañeros a almorzar.	Don’t be a cheapskate; invite your colleagues to lunch.
Es un codo que nunca compra nada a precio completo.	He’s a cheapskate who never buys anything at full price.
¡Qué codo eres! No quieres ni dar un euro a la caridad.	You’re such a cheapskate! You don’t even want to give a euro to charity.
Es tan codo que apaga el wifi por la noche.	He’s so stingy that he turns off the wifi at night.
No seas codo; comparte tus conocimientos con los demás.	Don’t be a cheapskate; share your knowledge with others.
Es un codo que siempre busca la forma de ahorrar dinero.	He’s a cheapskate who always looks for a way to save money.

Mezquino Examples

The following table provides several examples of ‘Mezquino’ in different contexts.

Sentence	Translation
Fue un gesto mezquino no ofrecerle ayuda.	It was a mean gesture not to offer him help.
Su comportamiento mezquino lo alejó de sus amigos.	His petty behavior drove his friends away.
No seas mezquino con tu tiempo; ayuda a los necesitados.	Don’t be ungenerous with your time; help those in need.
Fue una crítica mezquina e injusta.	It was a petty and unfair criticism.
Es un hombre mezquino que nunca comparte sus logros.	He’s a mean-spirited man who never shares his achievements.
La venganza es un sentimiento mezquino.	Revenge is a petty feeling.
No seas mezquina con tu amor; exprésalo libremente.	Don’t be ungenerous with your love; express it freely.
Fue un acto mezquino robarle a un anciano.	It was a mean act to rob an old man.
Su actitud mezquina le impidió ser feliz.	His petty attitude prevented him from being happy.
Fue un comentario mezquino e innecesario.	It was a mean and unnecessary comment.
No seas mezquino con tus elogios; reconoce el buen trabajo.	Don’t be ungenerous with your praise; acknowledge good work.
Fue una decisión mezquina despedir a los empleados.	It was a mean decision to fire the employees.
Su corazón era demasiado mezquino para sentir compasión.	His heart was too petty to feel compassion.
Fue un gesto mezquino negarle la oportunidad.	It was a mean gesture to deny him the opportunity.
No seas mezquino con tu ayuda; ofrece tu apoyo.	Don’t be ungenerous with your help; offer your support.
Fue una acción mezquina traicionar su confianza.	It was a mean action to betray his trust.
Su alma era mezquina y llena de envidia.	His soul was petty and full of envy.
Fue un acto mezquino criticar su apariencia.	It was a mean act to criticize her appearance.
No seas mezquino con tu generosidad; comparte tus bendiciones.	Don’t be ungenerous with your generosity; share your blessings.
Fue un espíritu mezquino que nunca encontró la paz.	It was a petty spirit that never found peace.

Barato Examples

The following table provides several examples of ‘Barato’ in different contexts.

Sentence	Translation
Este restaurante es muy barato.	This restaurant is very cheap.
Compré un coche barato de segunda mano.	I bought a cheap used car.
¿Dónde puedo encontrar ropa barata?	Where can I find inexpensive clothes?
Esta tienda vende productos baratos.	This store sells cheap products.
Es un hotel barato pero limpio.	It’s a budget hotel but clean.
Prefiero comprar algo de buena calidad aunque sea más caro que algo barato que se rompa rápido.	I prefer to buy something of good quality even if it’s more expensive than something cheap that breaks quickly.
¿Conoces algún vuelo barato a Europa?	Do you know of any cheap flights to Europe?
Este mercado ofrece frutas y verduras baratas.	This market offers cheap fruits and vegetables.
Es un restaurante barato y popular entre los estudiantes.	It’s a cheap and popular restaurant among students.
Compré estos zapatos baratos en oferta.	I bought these cheap shoes on sale.
Este billete de tren es muy barato.	This train ticket is very cheap.
¿Dónde puedo encontrar un alquiler de coches barato?	Where can I find a cheap car rental?
Esta tienda tiene muchos artículos baratos para el hogar.	This store has many cheap items for the home.
Es un lugar barato para comer si tienes poco presupuesto.	It’s a cheap place to eat if you’re on a budget.
Compré esta camisa barata en la liquidación.	I bought this cheap shirt on clearance.
Este libro es muy barato; deberías comprarlo.	This book is very cheap; you should buy it.
¿Conoces algún hostal barato en esta ciudad?	Do you know of any cheap hostels in this city?
Esta tienda vende juguetes baratos.	This store sells cheap toys.
Es una forma barata de viajar si no te importa el confort.	It’s a cheap way to travel if you don’t mind comfort.
Compré este reloj barato en el mercado.	I bought this cheap watch at the market.

Usage Rules

Here are some key rules to remember when using these words:

• Agreement: Always ensure that the adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
• Context: Choose the word that best fits the context and the specific type of stinginess you want to convey.
• Connotation: Be aware of the different connotations of each word and use them appropriately. Avaro is a stronger term than tacaño, for example.
• Formality: Codo is a very informal term and should be used with caution in formal settings.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
El hombre es avara.	El hombre es avaro.	Adjectives must agree in gender with the noun. “Hombre” is masculine, so the adjective must be “avaro.”
Ella es tacaño.	Ella es tacaña.	Adjectives must agree in gender with the noun. “Ella” is feminine, so the adjective must be “tacaña.”
Los precios son baratas.	Los precios son baratos.	Adjectives must agree in number and gender with the noun. “Precios” is masculine plural, so the adjective must be “baratos.”
Ser un codo es bueno.	Ser tacaño está mal visto.	“Codo” is informal and can be confusing if not used carefully. It’s better to use “tacaño” when discussing the general concept of stinginess.
Él es muy mezquina con su dinero.	Él es muy mezquino con su dinero.	“Mezquina” is the feminine form; use “mezquino” for a male subject.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word (avaro, tacaño, agarrado, codo, mezquino, barato):

1. Mi vecino es tan __________ que reutiliza las bolsitas de té.
2. No seas __________; comparte tus juguetes con tus hermanos.
3. Es un __________ de primera; nunca paga su parte.
4. Fue un gesto __________ no ofrecerle ayuda.
5. Este restaurante es muy __________.

Answers:

1. Mi vecino es tan tacaño que reutiliza las bolsitas de té.
2. No seas agarrado/a; comparte tus juguetes con tus hermanos.
3. Es un codo de primera; nunca paga su parte.
4. Fue un gesto mezquino no ofrecerle ayuda.
5. Este restaurante es muy barato.

Advanced Topics

Explore idiomatic expressions and cultural contexts related to stinginess in Spanish-speaking countries. Research how these concepts are portrayed in literature, film, and popular culture.

For example, investigate the figure of “El avaro” in classic Spanish literature and analyze how societal values influence perceptions of thriftiness versus stinginess.

FAQ

Conclusion

Mastering the nuances of Spanish vocabulary related to stinginess and cheapness, particularly the word avaro and its related terms, enhances your ability to communicate effectively and accurately in Spanish. By understanding the different connotations and usage patterns of words like tacaño, agarrado, codo, mezquino, and barato, you can express yourself with greater precision and avoid potential misunderstandings. Continue practicing these terms in various contexts to solidify your understanding and expand your fluency in Spanish. Remember that language learning is an ongoing process, and consistent effort will lead to greater proficiency.