paau4 doi6庖代

Jyutpingpaau4 doi6

Yalepàauh doih

Definition

To act on behalf of someone else, or to override someone's job duties and authority.

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How it's used

Originating from classical texts, this term carries a formal and slightly critical tone when used in modern speech. It implies an overstepping of boundaries or an unauthorized assumption of someone else's role rather than a simple act of helping. It is rarely used in casual conversation and is more common in professional or literary contexts to describe a breach of protocol.

Examples

nei5你m4唔hou2好paau4庖doi6代keoi5佢go3個wai2位zou6做kyut3決ding6定aa4呀。

Don't overstep your authority to make decisions for them.

le1呢gin2件si6事m4唔sai2使nei5你paau4庖doi6代keoi5佢heoi3去cyu3處lei5理。

You don't need to take over their responsibilities to handle this.

Common phrases

paau4庖doi6代zik1職kyun4權

to usurp the authority of a position

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a neutral way to say 'help' or 'substitute', but it carries a strong connotation of interference or overstepping authority. Using it to describe a simple favor can sound overly dramatic or accusatory.