coek3 caau4 kau2 zim3鵲巢鳩佔鹊巢鸠占

Jyutpingcoek3 caau4 kau2 zim3

Yalecheuk chàauh káu jim

Definition

To seize and occupy someone else's property, or reap the benefits of another's efforts.

neutralpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong negative connotation of unfairness or theft of effort. It is frequently used in workplace or social contexts to describe someone who steps in at the last minute to claim ownership of a project or space that another person spent time building. Unlike simple words for stealing, it specifically highlights the act of usurping a position or benefit that was rightfully earned by someone else.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋coek3鵲caau4巢kau2鳩zim3佔，baa3霸zo2咗jan4人dei6哋gaan1間uk1屋。

They took over the place and occupied someone else's house.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想coek3鵲caau4巢kau2鳩zim3佔，lo2攞zau2走saai3晒di1啲gung1功lou4勞？

Are you trying to steal the credit by taking over someone else's work?

Common phrases

coek3鵲caau4巢kau2鳩zim3佔ge3嘅hang4行wai4為

the act of usurping someone else's position

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say someone is living in another person's house, but it implies a hostile or deceitful takeover rather than a friendly stay or a rental arrangement.