jat1 mou4 bat1 bat6一毛不拔
Jyutpingjat1 mou4 bat1 bat6
Yaleyāt mòuh bāt baht
Definition
Extremely stingy; unwilling to spend even a penny.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, painting someone as pathologically tight-fisted rather than just frugal. It is often used to describe people who prioritize hoarding wealth over maintaining basic social obligations or generosity. While it functions as an adjective, it is frequently used as a predicate to emphasize a character flaw.
Examples
He is really stingy, he won't even treat anyone to a cup of tea.
You're asking him for a loan? He's a miser, give up.
Related words
Common phrases
notoriously stingy
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for someone who is careful with money, but it is strictly used to criticize someone for being excessively stingy or selfish. It should not be used to describe someone who is simply thrifty or budget-conscious.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
