laan6 syun4 caak3 maai4 dou1 jau5 saam1 gan1 deng1爛船拆埋都有三斤釘烂船拆埋都有三斤钉
Jyutpinglaan6 syun4 caak3 maai4 dou1 jau5 saam1 gan1 deng1
Yalelaahn syùhn chaak màaih dōu yáuh sāam gān dēng
Definition
Even a ruined or bankrupted wealthy family or enterprise still has some valuable assets remaining.
colloquialmoneypeople
How it's used
This proverb is used to describe someone who, despite suffering a major setback or losing their former status, still possesses some residual value or hidden wealth. It serves as a reminder that even a broken ship contains iron nails that can be salvaged. It is often invoked to reassure others that a person is not as destitute as they might appear.
Examples
Even though he went bankrupt, he still has some assets left.
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who has completely lost everything, as the proverb specifically implies that some value or foundation remains. It is also not typically used for objects, but rather for people or businesses that have fallen on hard times.
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.
