zyun1 jing4鑽營钻营
Jyutpingzyun1 jing4
Yalejyūn yìhng
Definition
To curry favor or toady with influential people for personal gain.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Describes a calculated, often sleazy way of climbing the social or professional ladder by latching onto powerful figures. It carries a strong negative connotation of being opportunistic and lacking integrity. Unlike simply being hardworking, this implies a focus on manipulation and networking for selfish gain.
Examples
He is always currying favor to get a promotion and a raise.
Why do you need to suck up to the boss?
Related words
Common phrases
to be opportunistic and cunning
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simple networking or socialising. It specifically implies a lack of sincerity and a manipulative intent to exploit others for personal advancement.
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.
