Hey guys! Ever been in a situation where you needed to say you're broke in Chinese? Maybe you're haggling at a market, or maybe you're just explaining to your friends why you can't join them for that fancy dinner. Whatever the reason, knowing how to say "I don't have money" in Chinese is a super useful phrase. This guide breaks down the most common ways to express this, making it easy for you to navigate those situations and maybe even save some face! We'll cover the literal translations, some slang, and even touch on how to politely decline a request for money. Let's dive in!

The Core Phrase: "没钱" (méi qián) - "Don't Have Money"

So, the most straightforward and common way to say "I don't have money" in Chinese is 没钱 (méi qián). This phrase is your go-to, the workhorse of your broke-ness vocabulary. Let's break it down:

• 没 (méi): This word means "not have" or "without." Think of it as the negation, the "don't" part of "don't have." It's essential for forming negative statements.
• 钱 (qián): This word means "money." Easy peasy, right? It's the currency, the cash, the moolah. You'll see this word everywhere when you're talking about finances.

Putting it together, 没钱 (méi qián) literally translates to "not have money." It's concise, clear, and perfectly understandable in most situations. You can use it when you're short on cash at a shop, when your friends ask you to chip in, or when you're simply stating a fact. The beauty of this phrase is its simplicity; it's easy to remember and easy to use. Now, while 没钱 (méi qián) is your bread and butter, knowing a few variations and some extra context can really boost your Chinese skills and make you sound more natural. So, let's explore some other related phrases and how to use them effectively. Remember, learning a language is all about context and how you apply it. So, let's get you prepared with as many skills as possible, so that you are never stuck in these situations.

Usage in a Sentence

To make it even clearer, here are a few examples of 没钱 (méi qián) in action:

• 我没钱。 (Wǒ méi qián.) - I don't have money.
• 他没钱买东西。 (Tā méi qián mǎi dōngxi.) - He doesn't have money to buy things.
• 我们没钱去旅行。 (Wǒmen méi qián qù lǚxíng.) - We don't have money to travel.

See? It's pretty versatile. You can use it in various situations to express your lack of funds. Now, let's look at a slightly more emphatic way of saying the same thing.

Adding Emphasis: "我身上没钱" (wǒ shēnshang méi qián) - "I Don't Have Money On Me"

Sometimes, you want to make it super clear that you are, in this very moment, broke. In this case, you can add some emphasis by including the words "on me." The phrase to use here is 我身上没钱 (wǒ shēnshang méi qián). Let's break this one down, too:

• 我 (wǒ): I, me.
• 身上 (shēnshang): On (my) person, on me.
• 没钱 (méi qián): Don't have money.

So, 我身上没钱 (wǒ shēnshang méi qián) literally means "I don't have money on me." This phrase is particularly useful when someone asks you for money, and you want to clarify that you don't have any cash at the moment. It emphasizes that you are, at this specific instance, without money. It's a way of saying, "Sorry, I'm tapped out right now." This is great when someone is trying to get money out of you and will allow you to be polite and avoid future commitments. You can say this with your head held high and with the knowledge you will not be roped into any further problems. This phrase is definitely going to become one of your best friends, so make sure you learn it and practice it, so you are always prepared.

Usage in a Sentence

Here are some examples of how to use 我身上没钱 (wǒ shēnshang méi qián):

• A friend asks: "Can you lend me some money?" You reply: "我身上没钱。(Wǒ shēnshang méi qián.)" - "I don't have money on me."
• You're at a restaurant, and the bill arrives, but you forgot your wallet: "糟糕，我身上没钱！(Zāogāo, wǒ shēnshang méi qián!) - "Oh no, I don't have any money on me!" (A bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea.)

See the difference? It's all about context. If you want to emphasize the immediate lack of cash, this is your go-to phrase. Now, let's venture into some more casual and slangy expressions.

Casual and Slangy Ways to Say "I'm Broke"

Alright, guys, let's get a little more casual. Just like in English, there are slang terms for being broke in Chinese. While 没钱 (méi qián) and 我身上没钱 (wǒ shēnshang méi qián) are perfectly fine, sometimes you want to sound a little more, well, cool. Here are a couple of slangy options:

• 穷鬼 (qióng guǐ): This literally translates to "poor ghost." It's a bit self-deprecating and playful, like calling yourself a pauper. You wouldn't use this in a formal situation, but it's great among friends. It is not something you would want to say to a boss, or anyone you do not know. This is really only used for people you feel comfortable with.
• 手头紧 (shǒutóu jǐn): This means "short on money" or "tight on cash." It's a more subtle way of saying you're broke, implying that you're experiencing temporary financial difficulties. You can use this phrase in a wider range of situations than 穷鬼 (qióng guǐ). This expression is more about having a feeling of a tight grasp, so it is a little less direct. However, it can still convey the same meaning as