zyun2 bok3轉膊转膊
Jyutpingzyun2 bok3
Yalejyún bok
Definition
To swap shoulders when carrying a heavy load, or to shift responsibility to someone else.
- to swap shoulders when carrying a heavy load on a carrying pole
- slangto shift one's responsibility onto someone else
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Originating from the physical act of shifting a heavy load from one shoulder to the other to relieve fatigue, this term has evolved into a common metaphor for avoiding accountability. It is almost exclusively used in negative contexts to criticize someone for dodging their duties or blaming colleagues. Using it implies that the person is being sneaky or unprofessional rather than just delegating tasks properly.
Examples
Don't try to shift the responsibility for this to someone else.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general delegation. Remember that 轉膊 carries a strong negative connotation of shirking responsibility, so it should never be used to describe a legitimate or fair distribution of work.
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.
