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parsimonia

frugality

noun par-see-MOH-nyah Rare
Mind & Emotions Values

Origin: From Latin parsimonia, from parcere (to spare).

Also means

parsimony

Usage Note

Parsimonia sits between neutral frugality and negative miserliness — context determines the shade. Con parsimonia ('sparingly') is the most common adverbial phrase: usare le risorse con parsimonia (to use resources sparingly). It is not equivalent to the English false friend 'parsimonious,' which in Italian is better captured by avaro (miserly).

Examples

"Gestisce il denaro con grande parsimonia."

Natural Translation

He manages money with great frugality.

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