coi4 bat1 lou6 ngaan5財不露眼财不露眼

Jyutpingcoi4 bat1 lou6 ngaan5

Yalechòih bāt louh ngáahn

Definition

Do not let your wealth be exposed in front of others.

colloquialmoneypeople

How it's used

This idiom serves as a practical piece of advice rather than just a description of behavior. It is frequently used to warn someone who is being too flashy with expensive items or large amounts of cash in public spaces. The core cultural value here is the preference for modesty and discretion to avoid attracting unwanted attention or potential theft.

Examples

ceot1出gaai1街gei3記dak1得coi4財bat1不lou6露ngaan5眼aa4呀，siu2小sam1心bei2畀jan4人coeng2搶je5嘢。

Remember not to flash your cash when you go out, be careful of getting robbed.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日daai3戴zyu6住zek3隻ming4名biu1錶，zan1真hai6係m4唔sik1識coi4財bat1不lou6露ngaan5眼。

He wears that expensive watch all the time, he really doesn't know how to keep a low profile with his wealth.

Common phrases

coi4財bat1不lou6露ngaan5眼，fu3富bat1不lou6露soeng3相

Do not show your wealth, do not show your status.

Common mistake

Do not use this as a direct command to someone who is currently being robbed, as it is meant as a preventative piece of advice. It is also not typically used to describe someone who is simply wealthy, but rather someone who is actively showing off that wealth.