kwai1 bun2虧本亏本

Jyutpingkwai1 bun2

Yalekwāi bún

Definition

To make a loss

writtenmoneywork

How it's used

While 虧本 is standard in written reports or formal business discussions, 蝕本 is the go-to term in everyday spoken Cantonese. Using 虧本 in casual conversation can sound slightly stiff or overly dramatic, as if you are reading from a news headline. It specifically refers to the situation where revenue fails to cover the initial investment, rather than just general financial loss.

Examples

le1 daan1 saang1 ji3 zou6 jyun4 zi1 hau6 hang2 ding6 wui6 ji5 kwai1 bun2

呢單生意做完之後，肯定會虧本。

After finishing this deal, we will definitely lose money.

nei5 gam3 joeng2 maai6 faat3 m4 paa3 kwai1 bun2 me1

你咁樣賣法，唔怕虧本咩？

Aren't you afraid of losing your capital selling it this way?

Related words

synonymsit6 bun2蝕本sith búnsynonymsit6 cin2蝕錢sith chínantonymwui4 bun2回本wùih bún

Common phrases

saang1 ji3 kwai1 bun2

生意虧本

business losing money

jim4 zung6 kwai1 bun2

嚴重虧本

severe financial loss

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 蝕底, which means to be at a disadvantage or to get the short end of the stick in a personal or social situation. 虧本 is strictly reserved for financial business losses.