deng1 hau2釘口钉口
Jyutpingdeng1 hau2
Yaledēng háu
Definition
The interest on a loan.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Refers specifically to the interest accrued on a debt, often implying a burden or a high rate. It is frequently used in contexts involving informal lending or personal debts between acquaintances. The term carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the interest is a persistent or annoying cost.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal term 利息, which is used in banking and professional financial contexts. Using 釘口 in a formal business meeting or a bank application will sound unprofessional and overly casual.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
