po3 caan2破產破产
Jyutpingpo3 caan2
Yalepo cháan
Definition
To go bankrupt, or to be completely broke or penniless.
- to legally declare bankruptcy; to be unable to pay back debts
- slangto be broke, penniless, or out of money
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Beyond the legal definition, this term is frequently used in casual conversation to exaggerate one's financial state. It is common to hear people jokingly claim they are going to break or are already broke after making a large purchase or paying for an expensive meal. This hyperbolic usage is a standard way to express being penniless without any actual legal implications.
Examples
His business failed, and he ended up having to file for bankruptcy.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simply having no cash on hand for the moment, as it carries a much heavier connotation of total financial collapse. For temporary lack of money, use 窮 or 冇錢 instead.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
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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.
