daap3 kiu4 pou1 lou6搭橋舖路搭桥铺路

Jyutpingdaap3 kiu4 pou1 lou6

Yaledaap kìuh pōu louh

Definition

To pave the way; to build bridges and pave roads for someone's success or to facilitate a process.

colloquialpeoplework

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong connotation of using personal connections or influence to facilitate someone else's success. It is often used in professional or social contexts where someone acts as a middleman to create opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. While it can imply helpful mentorship, it frequently hints at nepotism or the strategic use of social capital.

Examples

keoi5佢lou5老dau6豆daap3搭kiu4橋pou1舖lou6路，bong1幫keoi5佢jap6入zo2咗gaan1間。

His dad paved the way for him to get into a big company.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使wan2搵jan4人daap3搭kiu4橋pou1舖lou6路aa4呀？

Do you need someone to pave the way for you?

Common phrases

bong1幫jan4人daap3搭kiu4橋pou1舖lou6路

to pave the way for someone

wan2搵jan4人daap3搭kiu4橋pou1舖lou6路

to find someone to pave the way

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal construction term, but it is exclusively used in a metaphorical sense regarding social or professional advancement. Do not use it to describe physical roadwork or actual construction projects.