How to Say ‘Broke (having no money)’ in Simplified Chinese
吃土
💬 Usage Tip: Literally means 'eat dirt'. Refers to having no money left after spending too much.
🇨🇳 In China: Commonly used humorously to describe being broke after an online shopping spree.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
吃
[chī]
to eat
General term for consuming food.
他月底的时候只能靠吃土过日子。
He can only barely make ends meet at the end of the month.
土
[tǔ]
dirt
Refers to soil or earth.
这个月花钱太多，他只能开始吃土了。
He spent too much this month and now he has to live very frugally.
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