laam6 kyun4濫權滥权
Jyutpinglaam6 kyun4
Yalelaahm kyùhn
Definition
To abuse one's power or official authority to break the law or seek personal gain.
neutralworkpeople
How it's used
Reserved for formal or serious contexts, this term is typically used in news reports, political discussions, or when criticizing authority figures. It carries a strong negative weight, implying a betrayal of public trust or professional ethics. Unlike casual complaints about someone being bossy, this specifically refers to the misuse of official authority or institutional position.
Examples
As a high-ranking official, he absolutely cannot abuse his power.
Related words
Common phrases
abusive behavior
suspected of abusing power
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with general bullying or being rude. Remember that it specifically requires the person to have an official role or position of power that they are exploiting for personal gain or illegal purposes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
