mei4 lei6微利
Jyutpingmei4 lei6
Yalemèih leih
Definition
A small profit or thin margin.
neutralmoneywork
How it's used
Refers specifically to a business model or a transaction where the profit margin is extremely thin. It is frequently used to justify why a seller cannot offer further discounts or why a business is struggling to stay afloat. The term carries a sense of resignation regarding the lack of substantial financial reward.
Examples
This business deal really has very little profit, there is not much to gain.
Retail business is often operated on very thin margins.
Related words
Common phrases
operating on thin margins
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 薄利, which is often used in the set phrase 薄利多銷 to describe a strategy of selling high volumes at low margins. While they share a similar meaning, 微利 focuses more on the state of the profit itself rather than the sales strategy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
