捡破烂 (jiǎn pò làn) — to scavenge for trash or recyclables; (figurative) to collect worthless things; to be overly frugal or undiscriminating
Definition
A colloquial verb meaning 'to scavenge for scraps/recyclables' — often describes someone poor picking through trash to sell it. Used figuratively (e.g. 别什么都往家里拿) for someone who keeps worthless things.
verb
to scavenge for trash or recyclables(figurative) to collect worthless thingsto be overly frugal or undiscriminating
Examples
- 捡破烂。Tā měi tiān zài jiē shàng jiǎn pò làn.He scavenges for trash on the streets every day.
- ，。Lǎo rén jiǎn le yí bèi zi pò làn, zǎn le diǎn qián.The old man scavenged for a lifetime and saved a little money.
- ，捡破烂。Bié shén me 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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