借jiè錢qián是shì朋péng友yǒu,，討tǎo錢qián是shì仇chóu人rén

What does 借錢是朋友，討錢是仇人 (jiè qián shì péng yǒu, tǎo qián shì chóu rén) mean?

借錢是朋友，討錢是仇人 (jiè qián shì péng yǒu, tǎo qián shì chóu rén) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "When borrowing money, you are friends; when collecting the debt, you are enemies." In use it means: The act of lending transforms relationships. The borrower is warm and grateful at first but resentful when repayment is demanded. Money loaned to friends often costs the friendship. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Pig.

Literally: "When borrowing money, you are friends; when collecting the debt, you are enemies.."

The reading

The moment money crosses from one hand to another between friends, the friendship changes shape permanently. Gratitude at the time of borrowing is cheap; it costs nothing to say thank you when someone hands you cash. The true test arrives on the day of repayment, and most friendships fail that test. This proverb is a warning carved from countless ruined relationships. The wisest approach to lending among friends is to give what you can afford to lose and call it a gift.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeyànyǔ 諺語
• FocusPresent-minded
• Element水 Water
• Zodiac tie豬 Year of the Pig

Source Traditional folk proverb, widely used in Cantonese (广东) and Hokkien (闽南) communities

Sits beside

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Friendship, Trust & Speech, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Pig, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.