cing1 fu2清苦
Jyutpingcing1 fu2
Yalechīng fú
Definition
Poor and living a simple, hard, or austere life.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on a state of being both poor and austere, often implying a life of self-denial or lack of material comforts rather than just a lack of money. It carries a slightly literary or formal tone, making it less common in casual, everyday speech compared to descriptors like 窮 or 冇錢. It is frequently used to describe a lifestyle that is simple, frugal, and devoid of luxury.
Examples
He lived a very impoverished life when he was young.
Why are you living such a hard, impoverished life?
Related words
Common phrases
to live an impoverished life
hard and austere days
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a simple lack of cash in a casual context, as it sounds overly descriptive or dramatic. It implies a sustained condition of hardship rather than a temporary financial struggle.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
