haau1 mun4 zyun1敲門磚敲门砖
Jyutpinghaau1 mun4 zyun1
Yalehāau mùhn jyūn
Definition
A stepping stone to fame, fortune, or success; a means to an end.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to a tool or credential used to gain an initial advantage or entry into a competitive field. It carries a slightly cynical nuance, implying that the object itself might not be valuable long term, but is necessary to get one's foot in the door. It is common to hear this used in professional or academic contexts when discussing career advancement strategies.
Measure word
gau6嚿gauhExamples
He uses this degree as a stepping stone to get into a big company.
Do you really think this internship is your ticket to success?
Related words
Common phrases
to look for a stepping stone
to treat something as a stepping stone
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal tool for knocking on doors. It is strictly a metaphorical term for a career or social strategy and should not be used to describe actual hardware or physical objects.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
