zaai3 toi4 gou1 zuk1債臺高築债台高筑

Jyutpingzaai3 toi4 gou1 zuk1

Yalejaai tòih gōu jūk

語句

Definition

To be heavily in debt; to owe a lot of money.

writtenmoney

How it's used

This idiom is a formal, literary expression that describes a situation where debts have piled up like a high tower. While it is widely understood, it is rarely used in casual, everyday speech to describe personal financial struggles, as it carries a dramatic and slightly academic tone. People usually prefer simpler phrases like 爭人好多錢 when talking about their own or a friend's financial situation.

Examples

keoi5佢saang1生ji3意sat1失baai6敗，gaau2搞dou3到zaai3債toi4臺gou1高zuk1築。

His business failed, and he ended up heavily in debt.

nei5你zung6仲jau5有mou5冇cin2錢sing6剩aa4呀？m4唔hou2好zaai3債toi4臺gou1高zuk1築aa4呀。

Do you have any money left? Don't get yourself into deep debt.

Common phrases

dou6導zi3致zaai3債toi4臺gou1高zuk1築

lead to being heavily in debt

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common, casual phrase, but using it in a very informal setting can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. It is more appropriate for written reports, news articles, or formal discussions about financial crises.