kwai1 bun2虧本亏本
Jyutpingkwai1 bun2
Yalekwāi bún
Definition
To lose money in business; to fail to make back one's capital investment.
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
After finishing this deal, we will definitely lose money.
Related words
Common phrases
business losing money
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.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
