to curry favor; climb socially by attaching to the powerful
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to climb up by clinging to others; to curry favor with superiors; to ingratiate oneself through social connections
formalA formal, literary term (书面语) describing the act of social climbing by attaching oneself to powerful or influential people. Often carries a negative connotation of sycophancy and opportunism.
Tā他
shàn善
yú于
yín夤
yuán缘
pān攀
fù附
，
hěn很
kuài快
jiù就
zài在
guān官
chǎng场
shàng上
pá爬
le了
shàng上
qù去
。
He was good at currying favor with the powerful, and quickly climbed the ranks in official circles.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
yín夤
yuán缘
zuān钻
cì刺
de的
xíng行
wéi为
lìng令
rén人
bù不
chǐ齿
。
Such behavior of currying favor and scheming for advancement is contemptible.
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Tā他
cóng从
bù不
yín夤
yuán缘
quán权
guì贵
，
shǐ始
zhōng终
bǎo保
chí持
qīng清
gāo高
。
He never curried favor with the powerful and noble, always maintaining his integrity.