deng1 soeng6 deng1釘上釘钉上钉

Jyutpingdeng1 soeng6 deng1

Yaledēng seuhng dēng

Definition

Compound interest or interest on interest, typically charged by loansharks.

colloquialmoney

How it's used

Refers specifically to the predatory practice where unpaid interest is added to the principal, creating a new, larger base for further interest calculations. It carries a strong negative connotation associated with debt traps and loan sharks. The imagery of a nail on top of a nail conveys the relentless and painful accumulation of debt.

Examples

ze3借cin2錢jiu3要siu2小sam1心，fan1分fan1分zung1鐘deng1釘soeng6上deng1釘㗎。

Be careful when borrowing money, it can easily snowball into compound interest.

nei5你zoi3再m4唔waan4還cin4錢，lei6利sik1息zau6就wui2會deng1釘soeng5上deng1釘laa1喇。

If you don't pay back the money, the interest will start compounding.

Common phrases

lei6利sik1息deng1釘soeng6上deng1釘

interest compounding on itself

jyut6越gwan2滾jyut6越daai6大

rolling and getting bigger

Common mistake

Do not use this term for legitimate financial products like savings accounts or investments, as it is strictly reserved for high-interest, exploitative debt scenarios.