How to talk about “stone-broke” in Chinese

As a student from an ordinary family, or an office worker that doesn't make much money, you must have been in a situation where you need money in an emergency, such as giving in a hongbao, paying off your credit card, etc., but you're stone-broke! In these circumstances, you'd better know how to talk about it in Chinese, if you are learning the language. 

1. 身无分文 shēn wú fēn wén

wǒ mǎi bù qǐ xīn qún zi, wǒ shēn wú fēn wén 

我买不起新裙子，我身无分文。

I can't afford to buy a new dress. I'm flat broke. 

2. 手头紧 shǒu tóu jǐn

wǒ měi gè yuè dōu huì cún xià yì diǎn qián, suǒ yǐ wǒ cóng lái méi yǒu zhēn zhèng shǒu tóu jǐn.

我每个月都会存下一点钱，所以我从来没有真正手头紧。

I put away some money every month so I have never been really hard up. 

3. 穷得叮当响 qióng de dīng dāng xiǎng

zhè wèi nián qīng rén wèi le lái dào zhè zuò chéng shì huā diào le zì jǐ suǒ yǒu de qián, tā xiàn zài qióng de dīng dāng xiǎng 

这位年轻人为了来到这座城市花掉了自己所有的钱，他现在穷得叮当响。

The young man used all his money to get to the city so he hasn't got a penny to his name now. 

4. 拮据 jié jū

yóu yú xué fèi shàng zhǎng, yì xiē jū zhù zài dà chéng shì de dà xué shēng huì gǎn dào shēng huó jié jū 

由于学费上涨，一些居住在大城市的大学生会感到生活拮据。

Some university students living in major cities find themselves strapped for cash due to the rise in tuition fees. 

5. 一文不名 yì wén bù míng

wǒ xiàn zài yì wén bù míng, gū jì wǒ men bù néng qù fǎ guó dù jià le.

我现在一文不名，估计我们不能去法国度假了。

I'm completely skint. I guess we're not going on that holiday to France anymore. 

The article is translated and editted by Chinlingo. Please indicate the source for any use, reproduction or transfer. 

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