wan2 seoi2搵水揾水

Jyutpingwan2 seoi2

Yalewán séui

Definition

To make money or to earn a living.

colloquialmoneywork

How it's used

This term carries a slightly informal or even cynical tone, often implying that the pursuit of money is the primary focus of an activity. It is frequently used when discussing someone's career path or side hustles rather than a stable, long-term profession. The literal imagery of searching for water suggests a constant, active effort to secure financial resources.

Examples

keoi5佢zeoi3最gan6近heoi3去zo2咗ngoi6外gwok3國wan2搵seoi2水。

He recently went abroad to make money.

nei5你ping4平si4時kaau3靠me1咩lai4嚟wan2搵seoi2水㗎？

What do you usually rely on to make a living?

Common phrases

ceot1出ngoi6外wan2搵seoi2水

go abroad to make money

wan2搵seoi2水gei1機wui6會

opportunity to make money

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 搵食, which is a much more common and neutral way to refer to making a living. 搵水 often implies a more aggressive or opportunistic search for profit, whereas 搵食 is simply about survival or working for one's daily bread.