sap1 seoi2濕水湿水

Jyutpingsap1 seoi2

Yalesāp séui

Definition

To get wet, or figuratively used to describe someone who is stingy or tight-fisted.

to get wet; to be soaked with water
slangstingy; tight-fisted; miserly
slangmoney

colloquialmoneyslang

How it's used

While 濕水 literally describes something getting wet, it is widely used as a slang term for someone who is stingy or unwilling to spend money. It carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is holding onto their money as if it were glued to their hands. It is a common way to tease friends or colleagues about their spending habits in informal settings.

Examples

nei5你zou6做me1咩sap1濕seoi2水aa4呀？m4唔hou2好gam3咁gu1孤hon4寒laa1啦。

Why are you being so stingy? Don't be so cheap.

keoi5佢ping4平si4時hou2好sap1濕seoi2水，ceng2請sik6食faan6飯dou1都m4唔hang2肯。

He is usually very tight-fisted and won't even pay for a meal.

Common phrases

sap1濕seoi2水gai1雞

a wet chicken, often used to describe someone looking miserable or defeated

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of getting wet. If you say someone is 濕水 in a context involving water, people might be confused about whether you are talking about their personality or their physical state.