cang4 aat3 sik1 teoi1 siu1層壓式推銷层压式推销
Definition
A pyramid scheme; a fraudulent marketing scam disguised as multi-level marketing where participants recruit others to sell overpriced goods.
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used to describe illegal or predatory business models where profit relies on recruitment rather than actual product sales. It carries a strong negative connotation and is frequently used in news reports or warnings about scams. Unlike legitimate direct sales, it implies a fraudulent intent to exploit the participants' social networks.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with legitimate direct sales or network marketing, but in Cantonese, using this term implies you believe the business is a scam. Avoid using it for reputable companies that happen to use a commission-based structure.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
