paan1 jyun4攀緣攀缘
Jyutpingpaan1 jyun4
Yalepāan yùhn
Definition
To climb or clamber; or metaphorically, to rely on others to achieve success.
- to climb; to clamber
- figurativeto rely on others to achieve success
colloquialpeoplenature
How it's used
Primarily used in a metaphorical sense to describe someone who curries favor with the powerful to advance their own status. While it can literally mean to climb like a vine, using it for physical climbing is less common in daily speech compared to 爬. It carries a negative connotation when applied to human relationships, implying a lack of integrity or self-reliance.
Examples
He loves to climb the social ladder by relying on powerful people.
This type of plant likes to climb up the wall.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 攀登, which is the neutral, standard term for mountain climbing or scaling heights. Using 攀緣 to describe a hiking trip will sound strange and overly literary or accusatory.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
