caang1 jiu1撐腰撑腰
Jyutpingcaang1 jiu1
Yalechāang yīu
Definition
To back someone up; to support someone using one's power or authority so they feel confident.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Implies a power dynamic where the supporter holds a position of authority or influence that protects the beneficiary from consequences or criticism. It carries a slightly negative connotation when used to describe someone who abuses this protection to act recklessly or disrespectfully. It is rarely used in a neutral or positive context, as the focus is usually on the unfair advantage provided by the backer.
Examples
With the boss backing you up, what are you afraid of?
He always finds someone to back him up, that is why he is so arrogant.
Related words
Common phrases
to find someone to back one up
to back someone up
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical support or holding someone up by their waist, as the literal meaning is rarely intended in modern speech. It is strictly a metaphorical term for backing or shielding someone.
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.
