wan2 ding1搵丁揾丁

Jyutpingwan2 ding1

Yalewán dīng

Definition

To con, trick, or take advantage of someone.

colloquialmoneyslang

How it's used

Originating from the Cantonese slang term 丁 for a person or a sucker, this expression specifically refers to the act of swindling or tricking someone out of money. It carries a strong sense of moral disapproval and is often used when warning others about potential scams or dishonest business practices. Unlike formal terms for fraud, this is strictly informal and used in everyday speech to describe being taken advantage of.

Examples

nei5你mai1咪bei2俾jan4人wan2搵ding1丁aa4呀，siu2小sam1心di1啲。

Don't let people con you, be careful.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日wan2搵ding1丁，aak3呃maai4埋di1啲lou5老jan4人gaa1家cin2錢。

He is always conning people, scamming money from the elderly.

Common phrases

bei2俾jan4人wan2搵ding1丁

to get conned

zyun1專mun4門wan2搵ding1丁

specializing in conning people

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 搵笨, which is a broader term for making someone look foolish or getting the short end of a deal. While 搵丁 implies a deliberate scam or financial swindle, 搵笨 can simply mean being treated unfairly or being made the butt of a joke.