sai1 zi2西紙西纸
Jyutpingsai1 zi2
Yalesāi jí
Definition
Foreign currency.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Refers specifically to foreign banknotes, often implying US dollars or other major international currencies rather than just any non-local money. It carries a slightly informal, street-smart tone often used in the context of money exchange or business dealings. While widely understood, it is not used in formal banking or official financial reporting.
Measure word
zoeng1張jēungExamples
Do you have any spare foreign currency on hand?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal paper from the West, as it is strictly slang for currency. Using it in a professional banking environment may sound unprofessional or overly casual.
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.
