siu2 gaa1小家
Jyutpingsiu2 gaa1
Yalesíu gā
Definition
Stingy, mean, or unwilling to share.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Describes someone who is petty or overly calculating with money and resources, often implying a lack of generosity in social situations. It carries a stronger sense of social disapproval than simply being frugal, as it highlights a lack of magnanimity. You will often hear it used when someone refuses to share small items or makes a fuss over trivial expenses.
Examples
Don't be so stingy, just buy everyone a drink.
He is usually very stingy, even haggling over a few dollars.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin meaning of small family or humble, as in Cantonese it almost exclusively refers to a negative personality trait of being petty or stingy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
