gwaat3 saa1刮沙
Jyutpinggwaat3 saa1
Yalegwaat sā
Definition
To struggle to get by; to work hard just to scrape a living.
colloquialworkmoney
How it's used
Originating from the traditional Chinese medical practice of gua sha, this term metaphorically describes the physical and mental toll of working extremely hard for very little return. It carries a sense of desperation and exhaustion, implying that one is barely scraping together enough resources to survive. It is most commonly used to describe someone working multiple jobs or living paycheck to paycheck under significant financial pressure.
Examples
He has really been struggling to make ends meet to pay off the mortgage these past few years.
Related words
Common phrases
to struggle for a living
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the medical treatment of the same name. When used as a verb in a sentence, it is often paired with the progressive marker 緊 to emphasize that the person is currently in a state of ongoing hardship.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
