精打细算

Pronunciation: jīng dǎ xì suàn Literal meaning: Carefully calculate precisely

Origin & Usage

Reckoning (打) finely (精) and calculating (算) in detail (细). Both verbs are ordinary arithmetic words and the two adverbs do the work, insisting on the grain at which the counting happens. What is praised is not thrift itself but the attention that makes thrift effective — knowing where the money actually goes. Household management above all, and it is a compliment, though one that can be paid slightly drily to somebody doing it in a restaurant.

Examples

English: "With careful budgeting, they managed to save enough for the house."

Chinese: 通过精打细算，他们存够了买房的钱。