caau2 maai5 caau2 maai6炒買炒賣炒买炒卖

Jyutpingcaau2 maai5 caau2 maai6

Yalecháau máaih cháau maaih

Definition

To engage in rampant speculation, buying and selling commodities or assets for quick profits.

colloquialmoney

How it's used

This term specifically refers to the act of buying assets like stocks, property, or limited edition goods with the sole intention of selling them quickly for a profit. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the person is not interested in the long term value of the item but is merely gambling on market fluctuations. It is often used to criticize those who drive up prices for essential goods.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日caau2炒maai5買caau2炒maai6賣，zaan6賺zo2咗m4唔siu2少cin2錢。

He is always speculating, and has made quite a bit of money.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想kaau3靠caau2炒maai5買caau2炒maai6賣lai4嚟faat3發daat6達aa4呀？

Are you trying to get rich by speculating?

Common phrases

caau2炒maai5買caau2炒maai6賣mat6物jip6業

speculating in property

caau2炒maai5買caau2炒maai6賣gu2股piu3票

speculating in stocks

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with standard investing, as it implies a much higher level of risk and a short term focus. It is also not used for professional trading in a corporate sense, but rather for individual speculative behavior.