mok6 coi4莫財莫财
Jyutpingmok6 coi4
Yalemohk chòih
Definition
Short of money; broke or poor.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
This term carries a slightly humorous or self-deprecating tone rather than being a clinical description of poverty. It is frequently used to explain why someone cannot afford a specific outing or purchase. It functions as an adjective and is often paired with the particle 嘅 to describe a person's state.
Examples
I am broke lately, don't ask me to go out for dinner.
He spends so much money usually, how could he be broke?
Related words
Common phrases
broke as can be
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a formal word, but it is strictly colloquial and sounds unnatural in written documents or professional settings. It specifically refers to a temporary lack of cash flow rather than a permanent state of being destitute.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
