cung1 fung1 haam6 zan6衝鋒陷陣冲锋陷阵
Jyutpingcung1 fung1 haam6 zan6
Yalechūng fūng haahm jahn
Definition
To charge forward and break through enemy lines; to take the lead in battle.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Originally a military term describing soldiers breaking through enemy lines, this idiom is now frequently used metaphorically in workplace or social contexts. It describes someone who takes the initiative to tackle the most difficult or dangerous tasks first. It carries a sense of bravery and proactive leadership rather than just physical movement.
Examples
He always takes the lead and charges ahead when working, he is very dedicated.
Who dares to take the lead and charge ahead to get this matter sorted?
Related words
Common phrases
to take the lead in charging ahead
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a purely literal military term, but it is very common in office settings to describe a colleague who takes on the hardest projects. Do not use it to describe someone who is simply working hard; it specifically implies being at the front line of a challenge.
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.
