tiu3 baan2跳板
Jyutpingtiu3 baan2
Yaletiu báan
Definition
Springboard or gangway; also used figuratively as a stepping-stone.
- springboard for diving at a swimming pool
- gangway or gangplank used for boarding a boat
- figurativestepping-stone; jumping-off point; springboard to success
neutralsportsother
How it's used
Beyond the literal swimming pool equipment, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe a stepping stone or a starting point for career advancement. It implies using a current position or opportunity as a launchpad to reach a higher or more ambitious goal. The metaphorical usage is very common in professional and academic contexts.
Measure word
faai3塊faiExamples
He is standing on the springboard, looking quite scared.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 踏腳石, which is strictly used for the metaphorical meaning of a stepping stone. While 跳板 can also be used metaphorically, it specifically carries the nuance of a launchpad for a leap forward, whereas 踏腳石 can sometimes imply a more passive or incremental step.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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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.
