Definition

1. Adjective phrase:
   • To be penniless; to be broke: To have no money left, to be completely out of funds. It describes a state of having spent or lost all of one's money.

Usage Examples

• Adjective phrase:
  • Sau chuyến du lịch, tôi hoàn toàn cạn túi. (After the trip, I am completely penniless.)
  • Anh ấy chơi cá cược và nhanh chóng cạn túi. (He gambled and quickly went broke.)
  • Đến cuối tháng, nhiều sinh viên thường rơi vào cảnh cạn túi. (By the end of the month, many students are often broke.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used to emphasize a complete lack of money, not just being low on funds. It carries a colloquial and slightly vivid tone, comparing one's wallet or pocket to an empty container.

Variants and Related Words

• Hết tiền (v): to run out of money. A more neutral and common phrase.

  • Tôi đã hết tiền mặt. (I have run out of cash.)

• Không một xu dính túi (idiom): to not have a single penny to one's name; to be flat broke.

  • Lúc đó tôi thật sự không một xu dính túi. (At that time, I truly didn't have a single penny.)

Synonyms

• Broke: Having no money.
• Penniless: Without any money; very poor.
• Skint (UK informal): Having little or no money available.

Related Idioms

• Cạn kiệt tài chính: to be financially depleted. This is a more formal term.

  • Công ty đó đang trên bờ vực cạn kiệt tài chính. (That company is on the verge of financial depletion.)

• Viêm màng túi (humorous slang): Literally "inflamed wallet," meaning to be broke.

  • Mua chiếc điện thoại mới xong, tôi bị viêm màng túi luôn. (After buying the new phone, I'm broke.)

1. Be penniless