tin4 gai1 dung1田雞東田鸡东
Jyutpingtin4 gai1 dung1
Yaletìhn gāi dūng
Definition
To go Dutch; for everyone to split the bill and pay for their own meal.
colloquialfoodmoney
How it's used
This expression humorously plays on the term 田雞, which is the Cantonese word for frog, and 東, short for 東道主, meaning the host. It implies that since there is no actual host to pay for the meal, everyone must pay for themselves. It is a lighthearted way to suggest splitting the bill without sounding stingy or overly formal.
Examples
Let's go Dutch tonight, just pay back one hundred dollars each.
Since we are all friends, why not go Dutch? No need to fight over the bill.
Related words
Common phrases
let's just go Dutch
Common mistake
Do not use this in formal business settings or when dining with elders, as it can sound too casual or disrespectful. It is strictly for peer groups or casual social gatherings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
