'Chǐ mí' is a compound adjective meaning 'extravagant and wasteful', emphasizing excessive spending or lavish consumption beyond reasonable or necessary limits. The first character, 侈 (chǐ), means 'extravagant' or 'luxurious', often implying moral disapproval of overindulgence; the second, 靡 (mí), means 'wasteful' or 'prodigal', historically linked to squandering resources or declining moral standards. Together, they form a literary, slightly formal term that carries strong negative connotation — not merely 'expensive', but morally or socially irresponsible excess.

This word appears most frequently in written Chinese: essays criticizing consumerism, historical accounts of corrupt officials, or policy discussions about sustainable development. It’s rarely used in casual speech; native speakers tend to prefer simpler terms like 浪费 (làngfèi) or 奢侈 (shēchǐ) in everyday contexts. Its tone is evaluative and judgmental, often invoking Confucian ideals of moderation and frugality.