change one's social status; switch allegiance
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesverb
to change one's family background and improve social status; to marry into a higher social class
Often used in the context of marriage or career advancement that elevates one's social standing.
Tā他
tōng通
guò过
lián联
yīn姻
chéng成
gōng功
de地
gǎi改
huàn换
mén门
tíng庭
，
jìn进
rù入
le了
shàng上
liú流
shè社
huì会
。
He successfully changed his social status through marriage and entered high society.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
xǔ许
duō多
hán寒
mén门
xué学
zǐ子
xī希
wàng望
tōng通
guò过
kē科
jǔ举
gǎi改
huàn换
mén门
tíng庭
。
In ancient times, many students from poor families hoped to change their social status through the imperial examinations.
verb
to switch allegiance to a new master or power; to transfer one's loyalty to a new patron
Often carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation, implying pragmatic self-interest.
Kàn看
dào到
jiù旧
zhǔ主
shī失
shì势
，
tā他
jué决
dìng定
gǎi改
huàn换
mén门
tíng庭
，
tóu投
kào靠
le了
xīn新
de的
lǐng领
dǎo导
。
Seeing his old patron lose power, he decided to switch allegiance and投靠了新的领导。
Zhè这
wèi位
qiú球
xīng星
gǎi改
huàn换
mén门
tíng庭
，
zhuǎn转
huì会
dào到
le了
jìng竞
zhēng争
duì对
shǒu手
de的
jù俱
lè乐
bù部
。
This star player switched teams, transferring to a rival club.