Learning American Spoken English, Part 6: broke

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Please look at the conversation: L: Michael, look, this theater is showing a show! I've always wanted to see this musical. M: I know, it’s a popular show. L: Everyone likes it. Michael, we don’t have any homework tonight. Let’s go watch something, okay? M: Sorry, Li Hua, I’m broke. Maybe another time. L: Broke? Are you hurt? M: No, no, no! I didn’t break anything. Here, “broken” means to have no money. L: Oh, you didn’t break any bones; you scared me. Broke here means having no money. Last time my mom had an accident, it cost a lot of money to fix the car, and she ran out of money. It can also be said that... M: Yes, your mom was broke! L: My brother paid for the tuition fees and bought many books; he doesn’t have any money now either. M: Your brother is now broke! I know your sister spent all her money on a computer, so she’s broke too. L: How do you know my sister bought a computer and spent all her money? M: You told me yourself that you just forgot! L: I told you? I really did forget. But I don’t believe you have no money; you just started working for a company, and didn’t you get paid a few days ago? M: Okay, okay, I’m not broke. We can go see the show. L: I know you have money! That’s great, that’s great, thank you Michael. Here, “broke” means having no money left. From VOA, Special English.