saan2 zi2散子

Jyutpingsaan2 zi2

Yalesáan jí

Definition

Small change or coins.

colloquialmoney

How it's used

Refers specifically to coins or small denominations of currency rather than paper notes. While it is widely understood, many speakers in Hong Kong prefer using the term 散紙 instead. Using 散子 can sometimes sound slightly more regional or old-fashioned depending on the speaker's background.

Measure word

deoi1堆dēui

Examples

nei5你jau5有mou5冇saan2散zi2子aa4呀？ngo5我soeng2想maai5買gun3罐hei3汽seoi2水。

Do you have any small change? I want to buy a can of soda.

ngo5我ngan4銀baau1包jap6入min6面dak1得faan1返gei2幾man1蚊saan2散zi2子。

I only have a few dollars in small change left in my wallet.

Common phrases

saan2散zi2子baau1包

coin purse

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 散紙, which is the much more common term for small change in daily Hong Kong Cantonese. Using 散子 is not incorrect, but it may sound less natural to local ears.