siu2 sou3 paa3 coeng4 gai3少數怕長計少数怕长计

Jyutpingsiu2 sou3 paa3 coeng4 gai3

Yalesíu sou pa chèuhng gai

Definition

Small expenses can add up to a significant amount over time.

colloquialmoney

How it's used

This idiom serves as a warning against the accumulation of small, seemingly insignificant expenses. It is frequently invoked when someone is surprised by how much money they have spent over a long period on minor items like snacks, subscriptions, or transport. Unlike formal financial advice, it carries a tone of personal reflection or friendly caution.

Examples

mui5每jat6日maai5買bui1杯gaa3咖fe1啡，siu2少sou3數paa3怕coeng4長gai3計，hou2好faai3快zau6就mou5冇zo2咗gei2幾cin1千man1蚊。

Buying a coffee every day adds up, it's a small amount but it becomes a lot, soon you've spent thousands.

nei5你seng4成jat6日mong5網kau3購di1啲peng4平je5嘢，zan1真hai6係siu2少sou3數paa3怕coeng4長gai3計㗎。

You always buy cheap things online, it really adds up to a large sum.

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係siu2少sou3數paa3怕coeng4長gai3計

it really does add up to a lot

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the concept of saving money, as it specifically describes the negative realization of how small costs drain a budget. It is almost exclusively used in the context of money and spending, rather than for counting other types of items.