we2 ngan2搲銀搲银
Jyutpingwe2 ngan2
Yalewé ngán
Definition
To try to make money or earn a living by any means possible.
colloquialmoneywork
How it's used
Carries a slightly desperate or gritty nuance, emphasizing the effort and hustle required to survive in a competitive environment. It is often used to describe someone working multiple jobs or taking on various tasks to get by, rather than just having a stable career. You will frequently hear it used when discussing the pressures of the high cost of living.
Examples
He works so hard every day to make a living just to support his family.
The economy is so bad, everyone has to go out and hustle to make ends meet.
Related words
Common phrases
working hard to scrape by
going out to hustle for money
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a high-paying, prestigious job, as it specifically implies the struggle of scraping together money rather than professional success.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
