mou5 seoi2冇水
Jyutpingmou5 seoi2
Yalemóuh séui
Definition
Out of water, or out of money.
- to have no water
- slangto have no money; broke
colloquialmoneyfood
How it's used
Using this to mean broke is a classic piece of Cantonese slang that relies on the metaphor of a dried-up well or reservoir. It is frequently used in the phrase 手緊 to emphasize a temporary lack of funds rather than long-term poverty. When referring to literal water, it is perfectly standard and neutral for any situation involving empty containers or taps.
Examples
I am tight on cash lately, I really have no money.
Related words
Common phrases
tight on cash and broke
Common mistake
Be careful not to use this in formal financial contexts, as it sounds very casual and slightly dismissive. It is strictly for informal conversation among friends or peers.
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.
