How to Say "Rich" in Cantonese

有錢

jau5 cin2

The Cantonese word for rich is 有錢 (jau5 cin2).

有錢 is an adjective used to describe someone who is wealthy or has a lot of money.

Meaning: having wealth (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of the verb 有 (to have) and the noun 錢 (money).

While 有錢 is the standard adjective, you can turn it into a noun meaning 'a wealthy person' by adding the suffix 人 to create 有錢人.

The term 有錢佬 is a colloquial way to refer to a rich man or rich guy, and it can sometimes be perceived as slightly derogatory.

To express that someone is 'very rich', place the adverb 好 (good/very) before the phrase to get 好有錢.

jau5 cin2

Cantonese speakers sometimes use the word 肥 (fat) metaphorically in business contexts to describe a 'rich' or lucrative deal, such as 肥單.
To describe someone as 'filthy rich' or possessing extreme wealth, Cantonese speakers may use the term 富可敵國, which literally means 'wealthy enough to rival a state'.
During Lunar New Year, the desire to be 'rich' is expressed through 發財, where 發 means to blossom or expand, comparing wealth to a growing plant.

我阿哥好有錢。
My brother is rich.
This sentence demonstrates how to use 有錢 to describe a person.
Tatoeba #1762937 by nickyeow, translation #1388691 by Spamster
佢同嗰個有錢佬訂咗婚。
She became engaged to the rich man.
This sentence shows the use of 有錢佬 to refer to a wealthy man.
Tatoeba #5359794 by nickyeow, translation #453908 by saasmath
佢好有錢，但係好乞人憎。
He's rich, but obnoxious.
This sentence provides an example of using 有錢 in a descriptive sentence.
Tatoeba #6480887 by nickyeow, translation #2489035 by Opiejay888
Jimmy 是個富有的商人。
Jimmy is a rich businessman.
梅姨家族非常富有。
Aunt May's family is very wealthy.
14 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are discussing a luxury hotel they visited.

曉彤 Hiu Tung

呢間酒店真係好有錢嘅風格。
ni1 gaan1 zau2 dim6 zan1 hai6 hou2 jau5 cin2 ge3 fung1 gak3.
This hotel really has a rich style.
俊傑 Chun Kit

係，住喺度嘅人一定好有錢。
hai6, zyu3 hai2 dou3 ge3 jan4 jat1 ding6 hou2 jau5 cin2.
Yes, the people staying here must be very rich.
曉彤 Hiu Tung

我哋邊有咁有錢啊？
ngo5 dei6 bin1 jau5 gam3 jau5 cin2 aa3?
How could we be that rich?
俊傑 Chun Kit

係囉，我哋諗都唔敢諗。
hai6 lo1, ngo5 dei6 nam2 dou1 m4 gam3 nam2.
Right, we wouldn't even dare to think about it.

Sources

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