吃土 (chī tǔ): Why “Eat Dirt” Means “I’m Broke”

吃土 · chī tǔ

Literally: eat dirt Usually means: be broke

The post-shopping feeling

Spent too much money? Now there is nothing left for dinner except dirt. That is the joke behind 吃土, a playful internet expression for being broke after spending too much.

这个月买太多了，我要吃土了。Zhège yuè mǎi tài duō le, wǒ yào chī tǔ le.I bought too much this month. I’m broke.

It is dramatic on purpose. You use it to laugh at your own empty wallet — not to describe serious poverty.

Try another thing Chinese people “eat”

吃软饭 — live off a partner 吃瓜 — follow the gossip