humorous slang for money; cash
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
money (humorous or mocking term, from the square hole in ancient copper coins)
informalOriginally refers to the square-holed copper coins of ancient China ('Brother Square-hole'). Carries a humorous, mocking, or slightly contemptuous connotation. Often used in literary, ironic, or joking contexts to personify money.
Bié别
gēn跟
wǒ我
tí提
kǒng孔
fāng方
xiōng兄
，
shāng伤
gǎn感
qíng情
。
Don't mention money to me—it hurts the friendship.
Tā他
yǎn眼
lǐ里
zhǐ只
yǒu有
kǒng孔
fāng方
xiōng兄
，
háo毫
wú无
qíng情
yì义
。
He only has eyes for money, with no affection or loyalty whatsoever.
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Kǒng孔
fāng方
xiōng兄
suī虽
shì是
shēn身
wài外
zhī之
wù物
，
méi没
yǒu有
què却
cùn寸
bù步
nán难
xíng行
。
Although money is an external thing, without it one cannot move an inch.
Gǔ古
rén人
xì戏
chēng称
tóng铜
qián钱
wéi为
kǒng孔
fāng方
xiōng兄
。
The ancients jokingly referred to copper coins as 'Brother Square-hole'.