Meaning and Usage
"掏腰包" literally means "to fish out one's waist bag," but it is a colloquial expression meaning to pay money out of one's own pocket, especially unexpectedly or voluntarily. It often implies a personal financial contribution, sometimes reluctantly or unexpectedly.
Common Contexts
This phrase is frequently used in social or work settings when someone has to pay for something themselves, such as group expenses, bonuses, or emergency costs.
Collocations and Patterns
- 掏腰包买单: to pay the bill out of one's own pocket, often used when someone covers the cost for others.
- 自己掏腰包: emphasizing that the money comes from oneself, not reimbursed.
- 毫不犹豫地掏腰包: to pay without hesitation, showing willingness or urgency.
Nuances
Using 掏腰包 often carries a tone of personal sacrifice or unexpected expense. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context, such as complaining about having to pay unexpectedly. It is informal and common in spoken Chinese.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 掏腰包 with simply paying or buying. 掏腰包 emphasizes the personal financial burden, often out of one's own resources rather than company or group funds.
Meaning and Usage
"掏腰包" literally means "to fish out one's waist bag," but it is a colloquial expression meaning to pay money out of one's own pocket, especially unexpectedly or voluntarily. It often implies a personal financial contribution, sometimes reluctantly or unexpectedly.
Common Contexts
This phrase is frequently used in social or work settings when someone has to pay for something themselves, such as group expenses, bonuses, or emergency costs.
Collocations and Patterns
- 掏腰包买单: to pay the bill out of one's own pocket, often used when someone covers the cost for others.
- 自己掏腰包: emphasizing that the money comes from oneself, not reimbursed.
- 毫不犹豫地掏腰包: to pay without hesitation, showing willingness or urgency.
Nuances
Using 掏腰包 often carries a tone of personal sacrifice or unexpected expense. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context, such as complaining about having to pay unexpectedly. It is informal and common in spoken Chinese.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 掏腰包 with simply paying or buying. 掏腰包 emphasizes the personal financial burden, often out of one's own resources rather than company or group funds.
Meaning and Usage
"掏腰包" literally means "to fish out one's waist bag," but it is a colloquial expression meaning to pay money out of one's own pocket, especially unexpectedly or voluntarily. It often implies a personal financial contribution, sometimes reluctantly or unexpectedly.
Common Contexts
This phrase is frequently used in social or work settings when someone has to pay for something themselves, such as group expenses, bonuses, or emergency costs.
Collocations and Patterns
- 掏腰包买单: to pay the bill out of one's own pocket, often used when someone covers the cost for others.
- 自己掏腰包: emphasizing that the money comes from oneself, not reimbursed.
- 毫不犹豫地掏腰包: to pay without hesitation, showing willingness or urgency.
Nuances
Using 掏腰包 often carries a tone of personal sacrifice or unexpected expense. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context, such as complaining about having to pay unexpectedly. It is informal and common in spoken Chinese.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 掏腰包 with simply paying or buying. 掏腰包 emphasizes the personal financial burden, often out of one's own resources rather than company or group funds.