Definition
手头紧 is a fixed verb phrase meaning 'to be short of money' — literally 'hand-head tight'. It describes a temporary or ongoing financial squeeze, not necessarily stinginess (though it can imply that in some contexts). Use it as a predicate: 我最近手头紧 ('I'm short of money lately'). It's a colloquial, everyday expression, not formal.
v.p.
to be short of moneyto be hard upto be stingyto be tightfisted
Examples
- 手头紧，。Zuìjìn shǒu tóu jǐn, bù néng chūqù lǚyóu le.I'm short of money lately, so I can't go traveling.
- ，。Tā zhège rén shǒu tóu jǐn, cónglái bù kěn qǐngkè.He's a stingy person, never willing to treat anyone.
- 手头紧，。Děng wǒ bù shǒu tóu jǐn le, zài mǎi nà jiàn dàyī.I'll buy that coat when I'm not so short of money.
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