Definition
破费 is a polite expression meaning 'to go to expense (for someone)'. It is often used to thank someone who has spent money on your behalf, as in 让您破费了 ('you shouldn't have gone to such expense'). It is a separable verb (离合词): between 破 and 费 you can insert a measure word or amount, e.g. 破这么多费 ('to spend so much'). Unlike the English gloss 'squander', the Chinese term is respectful and appreciative.
v.o.
to go to expense (polite expression used to thank someone for spending money on your behalf)
Examples
- 破费。Zhè cì yòu ràng nín pò fèi le.You've gone to expense again.
- ，。Nín pò le zhème duō fèi, wǒ dōu bù hǎoyìsi le.You've spent so much — I feel really embarrassed.
- 破费，。Bié pò fèi le, wǒmen jiǎndān chī diǎnr jiù xíng.Don't go to any expense — just a simple meal is fine.
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