paak3 bok3 tau4拍膊頭拍膊头
Jyutpingpaak3 bok3 tau4
Yalepaak bok tàuh
Definition
To pat someone on the shoulder; figuratively, to ask a favor of a friend or pull strings.
- to pat someone on the shoulder
- figurativeto ask a favor based on personal relationships; to pull strings
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal physical action, this phrase is a common idiom for using personal connections or favors to bypass standard procedures. It carries a sense of informality and implies that the person being asked for help is a close acquaintance or friend. It is often used when someone secures a job or a special favor through a personal relationship rather than merit.
Examples
He patted my shoulder and told me not to worry so much.
Why do you need to pull strings to get things done?
Related words
Common phrases
to ask someone for a favor through personal connections
Common mistake
Do not confuse the literal action of patting someone on the shoulder with the metaphorical meaning of using connections, as the context will determine whether it is a friendly gesture or a request for a favor.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
