gau3 bun2夠本够本
Jyutpinggau3 bun2
Yalegau bún
Definition
An adequate amount, especially getting one's money's worth.
colloquialmoneydaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the idea of recouping the cost or effort invested in an experience, often used in the context of buffets, theme parks, or expensive events. It carries a slightly cheeky or determined tone, implying that the speaker intends to maximize their utility to avoid feeling cheated by the price paid. It is almost always used with the particle 返 to indicate returning to a state of balance or compensation.
Examples
I must eat my money's worth at the buffet today before leaving.
Related words
Common phrases
eat until one has gotten their money's worth
play until one has gotten their money's worth
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 夠數, which refers to meeting a specific numerical quota or target. 夠本 is specifically about value for money or recovering an investment.
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).
