san4 saa1神砂
Jyutpingsan4 saa1
Yalesàhn sā
Definition
Coins or loose change.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
Refers specifically to small denomination coins that feel like a nuisance to carry around. It carries a slightly dismissive tone, implying the money is of little value or just cluttering up a wallet. People often use it when they are trying to empty their pockets or pay for something small to get rid of the weight.
Measure word
deoi1堆dēuiExamples
Do you still have any loose change in your pocket?
I donated all my loose change to charity.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 散紙, which is a more neutral and common term for small change. 神砂 is more colloquial and specifically evokes the physical feeling of having heavy, jingling coins.
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.
