吝惜 is a verb meaning 'to grudge' or 'to withhold reluctantly', often describing an unwillingness to part with something—especially time, effort, money, or affection—due to excessive caution, stinginess, or emotional reserve. The character 吝 (lìn) originally meant 'stingy' or 'reluctant', while 惜 (xī) means 'to cherish' or 'to regret losing'; together, they convey the tension of valuing something so highly that one refuses to share or spend it, even when appropriate. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying excessive frugality or emotional inhibition.

This word is commonly used in formal or literary contexts, and frequently appears in written Chinese—such as essays, news reports, or moral reflections—to criticize undue self-restraint or praise admirable generosity by contrast (e.g., '从不吝惜帮助他人'). It’s rarely used in casual speech, where simpler verbs like 舍不得 (shě bu dé) or 小气 (xiǎo qì) are more common. 吝惜 typically takes a direct object (e.g., 时间, 精力, 爱心) and often appears in negated form (不吝惜) to express commendable openness or generosity.