磅水

bong6 seoi2

The match is over.
Time to pay up.

To pay up or hand over money.

Literal meaning“To weigh water”

Here, it’s money changing hands.

Hear it in context

輸咗就要磅水。

syu1 zo2 zau6 jiu3 bong6 seoi2.

“Pay the piper.”

Translation: If you lose, you have to pay up.

Another English equivalent: “Hand over the cash.”

The setting

A group of friends just finished a friendly bet on a football match, and the one who picked the losing team is being told to settle the debt.

Piece by piece

Tap ▶ to hear each phrase

syu1 zo2

輸 (syu1) means “to lose.” 咗 (zo2) is an aspect marker indicating that the action is completed.

Here, the result of the match is already known.

zau6 jiu3

就 (zau6) acts as “then” in a conditional sense, and 要 (jiu3) means “must” or “have to.”

輸咗 → 就要磅水: if you lose, then you have to pay up.

Listening speed

Audio uses your device’s Cantonese voice, when available. Jyutping numbers show tones.