dau3 ling4斗零
Jyutpingdau3 ling4
Yaledau lìhng
Definition
An old five-cent coin; a very small sum of money.
- dateda five-cent coin used in historical Hong Kong
- figurativea very small amount of money; a pittance
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Originally referring to the five-cent coin, this term is now used figuratively to describe any trivial or insignificant amount of money. It carries a slightly nostalgic or dismissive tone, often highlighting how cheap or worthless something is perceived to be. You will rarely hear it used in a literal financial transaction today.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
I do not even have a cent in my wallet.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to actual modern currency, as it is strictly slang for a very small, negligible amount. Using it to describe a specific price in a shop will sound confusing or outdated.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
