zi1 mei4 maa4 lei6知微麻利

Jyutpingzi1 mei4 maa4 lei6

Yalejī mèih màh leih

Definition

Stingy, calculating, and fussing over petty gains or trivial details.

colloquialpeoplemoney

How it's used

This expression carries a strong negative connotation of being overly petty or miserly. It is specifically used to criticize someone who obsesses over trivial financial gains or losses in a way that is seen as socially awkward or cheap. It is more descriptive of a person's character than a single act of saving money.

Examples

nei5你zou6做jan4人m4唔hou2好gam3咁zi1知mei1微maa4麻lei6利，sit6蝕siu2少siu2少dou1都mou5冇so2所wai6謂laa1啦。

Don't be so stingy, it doesn't matter if you lose a little bit.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日zi1知mei1微maa4麻lei6利，lin4連maai5買bui1杯gaa3咖fe1啡dou1都jiu3要gai2計zyu6住gei2幾hou4毫zi2子。

He is always counting every penny, even worrying about a few cents when buying coffee.

Common phrases

zou6做jan4人zi1知mei1微maa4麻lei6利

to be a stingy person

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with general frugality. While being thrifty is usually seen as a positive trait, this term is strictly used as an insult to describe someone whose behavior is annoying or excessively small-minded.