deng3 bou1 fai3掟煲費掟煲费
Jyutpingdeng3 bou1 fai3
Yaledeng bōu fai
Definition
Break-up compensation; money paid to a partner upon ending a romantic relationship.
colloquialemotionmoney
How it's used
This term is rooted in the slang 掟煲, which literally means throwing the clay pot, a metaphor for ending a relationship. It carries a cynical or transactional tone, often implying that the relationship was superficial or that one party feels entitled to financial reimbursement for their time and emotional investment. It is rarely used in serious or respectful contexts.
Measure word
bat1筆bātExamples
After they broke up, the guy actually demanded the break-up compensation back.
Do you think one should accept break-up compensation when ending a relationship?
Related words
Common phrases
to demand break-up compensation
to pay break-up compensation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a formal settlement or alimony, as 掟煲費 is strictly colloquial and often carries a negative or petty connotation. Using it in a formal setting will make you sound like you are gossiping or being intentionally provocative.
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).
