paau2 saai3 saan1跑晒山

Jyutpingpaau2 saai3 saan1

Yalepáau saai sāan

Definition

To run in the hills; to desperately raise money, usually to pay off a debt.

to run or hike through the hills and mountains
slangto desperately run around raising money, especially to pay off a debt

colloquialmoneydaily actions

How it's used

The phrase carries a sense of desperation and urgency, often implying the person is physically or mentally exhausted from the effort. While it literally refers to running on hills, the metaphorical usage is standard in business or personal finance contexts when someone is scrambling to secure liquidity. It suggests a frantic, non-stop search for funds rather than a simple request for help.

Examples

keoi5佢zeoi3最gan6近zau1周wai4圍paau2跑saai3晒saan1山，soeng2想wan2搵cin2錢waan4還zaai3債。

He has been running around everywhere lately trying to raise money to pay off debts.

nei5你jau6又paau2跑saai3晒saan1山heoi3去ze3借cin2錢aa4呀？

Are you running around everywhere trying to borrow money again?

Common phrases

paau2跑saai3晒saan1山wan2搵cin2錢

to scramble around to raise money

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe casual exercise or hiking, as the metaphorical meaning regarding debt or money is the primary association for most native speakers. Using it to mean actual trail running might cause confusion unless the context is explicitly about sports.