paan1 fu6攀附

Jyutpingpaan1 fu6
Yalepāan fuh
動詞

Definition

To fawn on, cling to, or associate with people of higher status for personal gain.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

Carries a strong negative connotation, implying that someone is opportunistically seeking connections with powerful or wealthy individuals for personal gain. It is rarely used in casual, friendly contexts and is often found in news reports or critical discussions about social status. The term suggests a lack of sincerity and a calculated approach to building relationships.

Examples

He is always trying to climb the social ladder to get ahead.
Why do you need to suck up to those people? Just be yourself.

Related words

Common phrases

to seek affiliation with the rich and powerful
to leverage connections

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply making friends or networking, as it specifically implies a power imbalance and a selfish motive. Using it to describe normal social interaction will sound overly harsh or judgmental.

Grammar color guide

Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector