jat1 fan1 cin4 jat1 fan1 fo3一分錢一分貨一分钱一分货
Jyutpingjat1 fan1 cin4 jat1 fan1 fo3
Yaleyāt fān chìhn yāt fān fo
Definition
You get what you pay for; the quality of a product is directly proportional to its price.
colloquialmoneyshopping
How it's used
This expression is used to justify why a more expensive item is better or to explain why a cheap item is disappointing. It is frequently followed by the particle 嘛 or 㗎 to add a sense of obviousness or resignation. It functions as a complete observation about the relationship between cost and value.
Examples
These cheap things are such poor quality, you really get what you pay for.
You bought such an expensive handbag, you get what you pay for, the quality must be better.
Common phrases
It's just that you get what you pay for.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
