caai2 gwo3 gaai3踩過界踩过界
Jyutpingcaai2 gwo3 gaai3
Yalecháai gwo gaai
Definition
To overstep boundaries; to encroach on someone else's territory, authority, or field of expertise.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Originally referring to physical borders, this expression is now almost exclusively used in metaphorical contexts regarding professional or personal boundaries. It carries a strong sense of disapproval, implying that the person acting has no right to intervene or compete in that specific area. It is frequently used in workplace environments when a colleague interferes with tasks outside their job description.
Examples
Don't overstep your boundaries and try to manage my business.
He expanded his business into other sectors, which upset his competitors.
Related words
Common phrases
don't overstep your boundaries
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being busy or working hard. It specifically implies an unwanted intrusion into someone else's domain or jurisdiction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
