ling4 cin2零錢零钱
Jyutpingling4 cin2
Yalelìhng chín
Definition
Small change; coins of low denomination.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
While 零錢 is understood, local speakers almost exclusively use 散銀 in daily life. It specifically refers to coins or small denomination notes that are cumbersome to carry. You will often hear people ask if someone has 散銀 when trying to pay for small items at a convenience store or when boarding a bus.
Measure word
deoi1堆dēuiRelated words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 散銀 with 散紙, which is another very common way to say small change. Both are interchangeable, but 散銀 is slightly more common when referring to the physical coins themselves.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
