po3 coi4破財破财
Jyutpingpo3 coi4
Yalepo chòih
Definition
To suffer an unexpected financial loss.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Often used in a self-deprecating or humorous way when someone has to spend money on something unpleasant, like a repair or a fine. It carries a sense of resignation, as if the loss was fated or unavoidable. People frequently invoke the phrase 破財擋災 to console themselves or others, suggesting that the monetary loss might have prevented a more serious misfortune.
Examples
I broke my phone this time, what a financial loss.
Related words
Common phrases
to lose money to avert a greater disaster
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe planned spending like buying groceries or paying rent. It specifically refers to involuntary or unexpected losses, such as losing items, paying for accidental damage, or being cheated.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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.
