si1 gei2私己
Jyutpingsi1 gei2
Yalesī géi
Definition
Secret personal savings or stash of money, often kept by a wife.
colloquialmoneyfamily
How it's used
Originally referring to money a wife would save from her household allowance, the term now applies to anyone keeping a secret stash of cash from a partner or family member. It carries a slightly mischievous or secretive connotation, implying that the money is being kept away from the eyes of a spouse. It is almost exclusively used in the context of personal finance within a relationship.
Examples
She has hidden away a lot of secret money.
Do you have any secret money left?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general savings or bank accounts, as it specifically implies money kept hidden or separate from shared household finances.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
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- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
