Definition
捡破烂 means 'to scavenge for trash' or 'to pick through garbage for recyclables or usable items.' It's a colloquial compound verb (捡 = pick up, 破烂 = junk/trash) often used literally for people who collect scrap metal, bottles, or cardboard for a living. Figuratively, it can describe someone who habitually collects worthless things or is overly frugal. It's a separable verb (离合词): you can insert measure words or complements between 捡 and 破烂, e.g. 捡过破烂 ('have scavenged before').
v
to scavenge for trash or recyclables(figurative) to collect worthless thingsto be overly frugal or undiscriminating
Examples
- 捡破烂。Tā měitiān zài jiē shàng jiǎn pò làn.He scavenges for trash on the streets every day.
- ，。Lǎorén jiǎn le yí bèizi pòlàn, zǎn le diǎn qián.The old man scavenged for a lifetime and saved a little money.
- ，捡破烂。Bié shénme dōu wǎng jiā lǐ ná, nǐ yòu bú shì jiǎn pò làn de.Don't bring everything home — you're not a scavenger.
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