ng5 hang4 kyut3 seoi2五行缺水
Jyutpingng5 hang4 kyut3 seoi2
Yaleńgh hàhng kyut séui
Definition
Lacking money; a humorous reference to the Chinese five elements meaning one's finances are tight.
colloquialmoneyslang
How it's used
This phrase plays on the traditional Chinese belief in the five elements, where water is associated with wealth. It is a lighthearted, indirect way to complain about being short on cash without sounding overly desperate. It is most effective when used among friends or peers who understand the cultural irony.
Examples
I'm broke lately, I can't even afford a cup of coffee.
You said you were broke, so why are you still buying designer bags?
Related words
Common phrases
have to work because one is broke
Common mistake
Do not use this in formal contexts or when talking to someone you do not know well, as it is strictly a humorous, colloquial expression. It is not a literal statement about one's horoscope or health.
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.
