adjective
thrifty, economical
B1
sparsam is an adjective meaning thrifty or economical. It's gradable: comparative sparsamer, superlative am sparsamsten. Used attributively, predicatively or adverbially (sparsam leben). Antonym: verschwenderisch. Regular adjective endings apply; context determines whether it describes a person, habit or resource usage. Common in everyday and formal registers.
Examples
Das neue Auto ist sparsam im Verbrauch.
The new car is economical in its fuel consumption.
Obwohl die Haushälterin sehr sparsam war, kaufte die Familie neue Möbel, weil das alte Sofa kaputtging.
Although the housekeeper was very frugal, the family bought new furniture because the old sofa broke.
Meine Großmutter ist sehr sparsam und kauft nur, was sie braucht.
My grandmother is very thrifty and only buys what she needs.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a piggy bank with someone carefully putting in each coin to save money.
Think 'spar' like 'to spare' or 'savings' — someone who spares money is thrifty.
Notes
Used both for people (thrifty) and things (economical, e.g., fuel-efficient). Not the same as 'geizig' (stingy), which has a negative connotation.