ce2 tau4 laam6扯頭纜扯头缆
Jyutpingce2 tau4 laam6
Yaleché tàuh laahm
Definition
To go first or take the lead in doing something.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Originating from the practice of pulling the lead rope on a boat to guide it through narrow channels, this phrase describes someone who initiates an action or steps forward first. It carries a positive connotation of being proactive, courageous, or a pioneer in a specific situation. It is frequently used in business or social contexts to describe the first person to commit to a new idea or venture.
Examples
Why don't you take the lead on this project this time?
He always takes the lead, he is really proactive.
Related words
Common phrases
to take the lead in investing
to be the first to do something
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to describe someone who is simply leading a group in a formal or managerial sense, as it specifically emphasizes the act of being the first to start or initiate an action.
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.
