jiu4 cin4 syu6搖錢樹摇钱树
Jyutpingjiu4 cin4 syu6
Yaleyìuh chìhn syuh
Definition
A money tree; a person, thing, or source used to generate wealth or easy money.
- literarymoney tree, a legendary tree that sheds coins when shaken
- figurativea reliable source of money; a cash cow; goose that lays golden eggs
colloquialmoneypeople
How it's used
Focuses on the exploitative nature of a relationship where one party views another solely as a source of wealth. It carries a cynical tone and is frequently used to criticize people who are perceived as greedy or parasitic. While it can refer to inanimate objects like businesses, it is most biting when applied to people.
Measure word
po1樖pōExamples
He treats his own father like a cash cow and is always asking him for money.
This shop is his golden goose, why would he ever want to close it down?
Related words
Common phrases
to treat someone as a cash cow
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a literal tree or a positive investment. It is almost exclusively used in a negative or derogatory context to imply that someone is being used or taken advantage of.
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.
