jan4 jau6 lou5, cin2 jau6 mou5人又老，錢又冇人又老，钱又冇

Jyutpingjan4 jau6 lou5, cin2 jau6 mou5

Yaleyàhn yauh lou5, chín yauh móuh

Definition

Old and penniless; describing someone who is both aging and poor.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

This phrase is a self-deprecating lament often used by middle-aged or older people to express frustration with their life circumstances. It functions as a set expression that highlights a lack of both youth and financial security. The rhythm of the phrase makes it very common in casual conversation to summarize a bleak situation.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日san3呻jan4人jau6又lou5老，cin2錢jau6又mou5冇。

He is always complaining about being old and poor.

jan4人jau6又lou5老，cin2錢jau6又mou5冇，dim2點joeng2樣git3結fan1婚aa4呀？

How can you get married when you are old and have no money?

Common phrases

san3呻jan4人jau6又lou5老，cin2錢jau6又mou5冇

to complain about being old and poor

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone else directly to their face, as it is blunt and can be perceived as highly insulting or mocking. It is primarily intended for talking about one's own situation or discussing someone in the third person with a sense of pity or resignation.