Definition
破财 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to suffer financial loss', often used in the context of unexpected or unavoidable expenses. The verb 破 ('to break/lose') and the noun 财 ('money/wealth') can split: you can insert a measure word or modifier between them, like 破了财 ('suffered a financial loss'). It's commonly used in the set phrase 破财免灾 ('losing money averts disaster'), which frames the loss as a way to avoid worse misfortune.
v.o.
to suffer financial loss (often unexpectedly or unavoidably)
Examples
- 破财。Zhè cì xiū chē ràng wǒ pò cái le.This car repair made me suffer a financial loss.
- ，。Tā zuò shēngyi pò le cái, xīnqíng hěn bù hǎo.He suffered a financial loss in business and was in a bad mood.
- ，破财。Bié nánguò, pò cái miǎn zāi ma.Don't be sad — losing money averts disaster.
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