climb; clamber; social climbing
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to climb up by grasping; to clamber; to scramble
Often used for climbing plants, animals, or people ascending trees, walls, or cliffs. Also written as 攀援.
Hóu猴
zi子
zài在
shù树
zhī枝
jiān间
líng灵
huó活
de地
pān攀
yuán缘
。
The monkey climbed nimbly among the branches.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
téng藤
wàn蔓
zhí植
wù物
huì会
pān攀
yuán缘
qiáng墙
bì壁
xiàng向
shàng上
shēng生
zhǎng长
。
This vine climbs up the wall as it grows.
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Tā他
xiàng像
māo猫
yī一
yàng样
pān攀
yuán缘
ér而
shàng上
，
qiǎo悄
wú无
shēng声
xī息
。
He scrambled up like a cat, making no sound.
verb
to climb socially by attaching oneself to the rich and powerful; to curry favor with those in power
derogatoryCarries a strong negative connotation of opportunism, sycophancy, and lack of integrity.
Tā他
yī一
xīn心
pān攀
yuán缘
quán权
guì贵
，
bù不
gù顾
zūn尊
yán严
。
He was bent on currying favor with the powerful, disregarding dignity.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
pān攀
yuán缘
fù附
shì势
de的
xíng行
wéi为
lìng令
rén人
bù不
chǐ齿
。
Such behavior of social climbing is contemptible.
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Tā他
bù不
kěn肯
pān攀
yuán缘
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
shì仕
tú途
yī一
zhí直
bù不
shùn顺
。
He refused to play the sycophant, so his official career was never smooth.