sai2 maa5 laam5洗馬欖洗马榄
Jyutpingsai2 maa5 laam5
Yalesái máh láahm
Definition
To embezzle funds.
colloquialmoneywork
How it's used
Originating from the gambling world, this term specifically refers to the act of siphoning off funds for personal gain. It carries a strong connotation of betrayal and illicit activity, often used in professional or organizational contexts to describe white collar crime. It is much more vivid and accusatory than formal terms like 挪用公款.
Examples
He embezzled a lot of money when he was an accountant.
Related words
Common phrases
embezzling company funds
Common mistake
Do not use this term in a literal sense related to horses or grooming, as it is strictly a slang term for financial theft. It is highly informal and should be avoided in formal legal or official written reports.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
