zit3 lau4節流节流
Jyutpingzit3 lau4
Yalejit làuh
Definition
To reduce expenses or cut down on spending.
neutralmoneywork
How it's used
Often paired with 開源 to form the idiom 開源節流, which describes the dual strategy of increasing income and reducing spending. While it sounds slightly formal, it is frequently used in business contexts and when discussing household financial planning. It implies a deliberate, strategic effort to trim unnecessary costs rather than just being stingy.
Examples
The economy is bad, the company needs to think of ways to cut costs.
You are cutting expenses every month, are you trying to save up to buy a flat?
Related words
Common phrases
increase income and reduce expenditure
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
