sin1 dou1 m4 sin1 haa5仙都唔仙吓
Jyutpingsin1 dou1 m4 sin1 haa5
Yalesīn dōu m̀h sīn háh
Definition
Completely broke; without a single cent.
colloquialmoney
How it's used
This expression uses 仙 to refer to the cent, a historical unit of currency in Hong Kong. It emphasizes a state of total financial depletion rather than just being short on cash. It is a very vivid way to describe being penniless and is almost exclusively used in informal, spoken contexts.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not mistake this for a literal description of having no coins; it is an idiomatic expression for having no money at all. Using it in a formal business or professional setting would sound inappropriately casual or even flippant.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
