What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of méiyǒu, meaning 'to not have' and qián, meaning 'money'.
Which one should you use?
While 没有钱 is the standard form, you may encounter several variations. 没钱 is a colloquial shortening where the second syllable of méiyǒu is dropped. 没钱了 is used specifically to imply a change of state, such as having recently run out of money. For a much more intense or formal emphasis on being completely broke, the phrase 身无分文 can be used, which literally translates to 'body without a penny'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the phrase 冇錢 (mou5 cin2) is used, where 冇 means 'don't have' or 'lack' and 錢 means 'money'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual spoken Chinese, it is common to drop the second syllable of méiyǒu, resulting in the shorter form 没钱. Additionally, adding the particle 了 to the end, as in 没钱了, implies a change of state, such as running out of funds.
How do you pronounce it?
méiyǒu qián
When do people say it?
The phrase 没钱 is frequently used in a humorous or blunt manner as an excuse to avoid social activities that involve spending money.
Did you know?
- The word 钱 for 'money' shares its character with an ancient term for 'weight'. In early China, currency was measured by the 'liang' weight system, meaning money was literally weighed on a scale.
- In China, claiming 没钱 can be a strategic social tool called 'playing poor'. By insisting they have no money, a person may politely prompt a friend or elder to pay the bill without asking directly.
- In modern internet slang, young people may use 'poor' labels or specific emojis to signal 没钱 as a way of bonding over the shared struggle of high living costs in big cities.
Examples in context
- 我身上没有钱。I have no money on me.This example shows the use of 没有钱 to describe having no money on one's person.Tatoeba #10192320 by sadhen, translation #18607 by FSLian
- 我宁愿没有钱也要找到爱情。I'd rather have no money but find love.This example demonstrates using 没有钱 to express a preference for love over financial resources.Tatoeba #794491 by eastasiastudent, translation #794494 by eastasiastudent
- 他没有朋友，没有钱，没有房子……他照样玩得很开心。He had no friends, no money, no home…but he played happily all the same.This example illustrates the use of 没有钱 in a list of things a person lacks.Tatoeba #3690036 by carlosboyero, translation #5313681 by csmjj
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about going to a concert.
- 伟 Wei你想去听音乐会吗？Nǐ xiǎng qù tīng yīnyuèhuì ma?Do you want to go to the concert?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我最近没有钱。Wǒ zuìjìn méiyǒu qián.I have no money lately.
- 伟 Wei真的吗？太可惜了。Zhēn de ma? Tài kěxī le.Really? That's too bad.
- 佳怡 Jiayi下次我一定去。Xià cì wǒ yīdìng qù.I will definitely go next time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
