syun4 tau4 cek3船頭尺船头尺

Jyutpingsyun4 tau4 cek3

Yalesyùhn tàuh chek

Definition

A person who always asks for money or behaves like a parasite.

slangpeoplemoney

How it's used

This term originates from the idea that a ship's bow ruler is used for precise measurement, implying someone who calculates every cent to an extreme degree. It carries a strong negative connotation of being stingy or petty about money. While it describes someone who is tight-fisted, it specifically highlights the act of constantly counting or demanding money from others.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日man6問jan4人ze3借cin2錢，gaan2簡zik6直hai6係go3個syun4船tau4頭cek3尺aa4呀。

He is always asking people for money, he is such a cheapskate.

nei5你m4唔hou2好gam3咁syun4船tau4頭cek3尺laa1啦，ceng2請ci3次jam2飲caa4茶dou1都m4唔hang2肯？

Don't be such a miser, you won't even treat us to dim sum?

Common phrases

gam3咁syun4船tau4頭cek3尺

so stingy

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a literal ruler or a nautical term, as it is strictly used as a derogatory label for a person. It is not a formal term and should be avoided in professional or polite social settings.