Cantonese Tip: The Two Ways to Say “Save”
In Cantonese, we actually have two different words for “save,” and they are not the same thing!
Haan1 慳
悭 (haan1) = to save by being thrifty / not spending.
Think of it as saving money by cutting expenses.
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Example:
我 而家 開始 悭啲 用錢。
ngo5 ji4gaa1 hoi1ci2 haan1 di1 jung6 cin2.
(I’ve started to spend money more carefully / save by being thrifty.)
Cou5 儲
储 (cou5) = to save by putting aside / collecting.
Think of it as saving money by storing it up.
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Example:
我想储錢買樓。
ngo5 soeng2 cyu5 cin2 maai5 lau2.
(I want to save money to buy a flat.)
👉 Both mean “save,” but 悭 is about not spending, while 储 is about putting money aside.
