king4 tan1鯨吞鲸吞
Jyutpingking4 tan1
Yalekìhng tān
Definition
To swallow like a whale; to annex territory or swallow up resources.
colloquialmoneyother
How it's used
Focuses on the sudden and overwhelming nature of an acquisition or takeover, contrasting sharply with the slow, incremental process of 蠶食. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying greed or an aggressive, predatory business strategy. While it can literally describe eating, it is far more common in political or economic contexts to describe the rapid absorption of assets or territory.
Examples
He wants to swallow up this company, he is really greedy.
Big corporations have swallowed up many small shops, causing them to lose all their character.
Related words
Common phrases
to swallow up the market
to swallow up assets
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe eating food in a normal, polite way, as it implies a gluttonous or monstrous manner of consumption. It is strictly reserved for metaphorical or extreme contexts.
Grammar color guide
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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.
