jin6 ngan4現銀现银
Jyutpingjin6 ngan4
Yaleyihn ngàhn
Definition
Cash; physical money used for transactions.
neutralmoney
How it's used
Although 現銀 is understood, it is significantly less common than 現金 in everyday Hong Kong Cantonese. Using 現銀 can sound slightly old-fashioned or formal, similar to how one might choose 'hard currency' over 'cash' in English. Most locals will default to 現金 for any standard transaction.
Examples
This shop only accepts cash, not credit cards.
Do you have enough cash on you to pay the bill?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 散紙, which specifically refers to small change or coins. Using 現銀 when you mean small change can sound overly formal or slightly confusing in a casual context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
