tow a boat with a rope; act as a go-between
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to tow a boat (from shore) with a rope
archaicA historical method of transport, especially on canals or against river currents.
Cóng从
qián前
zài在
yùn运
hé河
shàng上
，
lā拉
qiàn纤
shì是
cháng常
jiàn见
de的
jǐng景
xiàng象
。
In the past, towing boats with ropes was a common sight on canals.
Qiàn纤
fū夫
men们
hǎn喊
zhe着
hào号
zi子
zài在
àn岸
shàng上
lā拉
qiàn纤
。
The trackers chanted work songs as they towed the boat from the shore.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Nì逆
shuǐ水
xíng行
zhōu舟
shí时
，
bì必
xū须
yǒu有
rén人
lā拉
qiàn纤
。
When sailing upstream, someone must tow the boat with a rope.
verb
to act as a go-between; to broker a deal (often for profit)
informalOften used in the context of matchmaking or business deals.
Nà那
ge个
méi媒
pó婆
shàn善
yú于
shuō说
méi媒
lā拉
qiàn纤
。
That matchmaker is good at arranging marriages (acting as a go-between).
Zhè这
bǐ笔
shēng生
yì意
shì是
tā他
lā拉
de的
qiàn纤
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
shōu收
le了
yī一
bǐ笔
zhōng中
jiè介
fèi费
。
He brokered this business deal, so he collected an agent fee.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā他
wèi为
liǎng两
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
lā拉
qiàn纤
，
cù促
chéng成
le了
hé合
zuò作
。
He acted as a go-between for the two companies and facilitated the cooperation.
Zài在
jiù旧
shè社
huì会
，
lā拉
qiàn纤
de的
rén人
yǒu有
shí时
bèi被
chēng称
wéi为
qián掮
kè客
。
In old society, people who acted as go-betweens were sometimes called brokers.