associate with someone of higher status; polite refusal
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to associate with or form ties with someone of higher social status
The core meaning is to seek connection with superiors, often implying a social gap. It is most commonly used in the polite refusal phrase "不敢高攀", which politely declines a connection or proposal by suggesting one is not worthy. It can also describe the action of seeking advantageous social connections.
Wǒ我
yī一
gè个
xiǎo小
zhí职
yuán员
，
nǎ哪
gǎn敢
gāo高
pān攀
tā他
men们
zǒng总
jīng经
lǐ理
jiā家
de的
qiān千
jīn金
。
As a lowly clerk, how dare I aspire to associate with the daughter of their general manager?
Tā他
zǒng总
xiǎng想
gāo高
pān攀
quán权
guì贵
，
kuò扩
zhǎn展
rén人
mài脉
。
He always wants to ingratiate himself with the powerful and noble to expand his network.
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Zhè这
mén门
qīn亲
shì事
wǒ我
men们
bù不
gǎn敢
gāo高
pān攀
，
nín您
hái还
shì是
lìng另
zhǎo找
rén人
jia家
ba吧
。
We dare not presume to accept this marriage proposal; please find another family.