zaau2 sou3找數找数

Jyutpingzaau2 sou3

Yalejáau sou

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To settle a bill, pay back a debt, or to honor a commitment.

to pay a bill; to settle an outstanding balance
figurativeto fulfill a promise; to honor a commitment

colloquialmoneydaily actions

How it's used

Beyond settling a financial debt or restaurant bill, this term is frequently used metaphorically to mean fulfilling a promise or keeping one's word. It carries a slightly informal tone, often implying that the person had previously committed to something and is now being held accountable. You will often hear it in social contexts where someone is teasing a friend for failing to follow through on a previous offer.

Examples

sik6食jyun4完faan6飯gei3記dak1得heoi3去gwai6櫃zaau2找sou3數aa4呀。

Remember to go to the counter to pay the bill after you finish eating.

nei5你zi1之cin4前waa6話ceng2請haak3客，gei2幾si4時zaau2找sou3數aa4呀？

You said you would treat us before, when are you going to pay up?

Common phrases

zaau2找sou3數bei2畀jan4人

to pay someone back

zaau2找sou3數zaau2找dak1得faai3快

to pay off debts quickly

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 找, which often means to give change. In Cantonese, the verb for giving change is 找錢, while 找數 specifically refers to the act of settling a total debt or bill.