faa1 cin2花錢花钱
Jyutpingfaa1 cin2
Yalefā chín
Definition
To spend money.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
While 花錢 is understood in Hong Kong, it is heavily influenced by Mandarin and is less common in daily speech than 使錢. Native speakers typically use 使錢 for general spending, whereas 花錢 can sound slightly more formal or descriptive of the act of squandering resources. You will hear it more often in written contexts or when emphasizing the act of expenditure rather than just the transaction.
Examples
He rarely spends money on clothes.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 花錢 because it sounds like the Mandarin word they learned first, but using 使錢 will make your Cantonese sound much more natural and authentic in a local context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
