him3 zaai3欠債欠债
Jyutpinghim3 zaai3
Yalehim jaai
Definition
To owe money; to be in debt.
neutralmoney
How it's used
While 欠債 is the formal term for owing money, Cantonese speakers often use the verb 爭 to describe the act of owing. 欠債 carries a heavier, more serious tone, often implying a significant financial burden or a long-term problem. It is frequently used in moral or legal contexts regarding the obligation to repay what is owed.
Examples
He is in debt up to his eyeballs, how can he pay it back?
Don't get into debt anymore, try to spend less.
Related words
Common phrases
pay back money when in debt
heavily in debt
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the verb 爭 with the Mandarin word 爭, which means to fight or compete. In Cantonese, 爭 is the standard colloquial verb for to owe, so you should say 爭錢 instead of using 欠債 in casual conversation.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
