gou1 paan1高攀

Jyutpinggou1 paan1

Yalegōu pāan

動詞Rare

Definition

To associate with or marry someone of a higher social and economic status.

colloquialpeople

How it's used

Carries a strong sense of self-deprecation or social critique. It is often used to express that one feels socially inferior to someone else, or to mock someone who is perceived as a social climber. The term implies a rigid social hierarchy where one is attempting to cross a boundary that is not naturally theirs to cross.

Examples

ngo5我bin1邊gau3夠zi1資gaak3格gou1高paan1攀nei5你ne1呢wai6位daai6大lou5老baan2闆aa4呀？

How could I possibly be worthy of befriending a big boss like you?

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日soeng2想gou1高paan1攀di1啲jau5有cin2錢jan4人，zan1真hai6係hou2好sai3勢lei6利。

He always tries to climb the social ladder by befriending the wealthy, he is so snobbish.

Common phrases

m4唔gam2敢gou1高paan1攀

dare not to associate with someone of higher status

gou1高paan1攀m4唔hei2起

cannot afford to associate with someone of higher status

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe simply making new friends or networking. It specifically implies a perceived gap in social status or wealth, and using it in a neutral context can sound insulting or overly dramatic.