zaat3 paau3紥炮扎炮

Jyutpingzaat3 paau3

Yalejaat paau

Definition

To go hungry, starve, or tighten one's belt due to a lack of money.

slangto go hungry or starve
slangto tighten one's belt and reduce spending

colloquialmoneydaily actions

How it's used

This expression originates from the military practice of tightening one's belt to suppress the sensation of hunger during food shortages. It carries a sense of forced frugality or extreme financial constraint rather than just simple saving. People often use it when they have overspent and need to compensate by drastically reducing their daily expenses.

Examples

gan6呢paai4排sau2手gan2緊，jau6又jiu3要zaat3紥paau3炮laa3喇。

Money is tight lately, I have to tighten my belt again.

nei5你gam1今go3個jyut6月sai2使cin2錢gam3咁daai6大，haa6下go3個jyut6月dim2點joeng2樣zaat3紥paau3炮aa4呀？

You spent so much this month, how are you going to cut back next month?

Common phrases

jau6又jiu3要zaat3紥paau3炮

have to tighten the belt again

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply saving money, which is 儲錢. 紥炮 implies a state of distress or a lack of funds that necessitates cutting back on essential spending.