Chinese word

沾光

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhān guāng

Meaning

  • verbshare in the good fortune

Example

她中奖了，亲友们都沾光了。tā zhòng jiǎng le qīn yǒu men dōu zhān guāng le

She won a prize, and her relatives and friends all shared in her good fortune.

Illustration for 沾光 (share in the good fortune)

More examples

因为他开了新店，邻居们也沾光了。yīn wèi tā kāi le xīn diàn lín jū men yě zhān guāng le

Because he opened a new store, the neighbors benefited too.

Core concept

A fortunate person's success casts a useful glow over the people around them.

Common phrases

  • 从他的成功中沾光cóng tā de chéng gōng zhōng zhān guāng

    benefit from his success

  • 有机会沾光yǒu jī huì zhān guāng

    have a chance to benefit

Similar words

沾喜气zhān xǐ qì: Enjoy some of the happiness and luck surrounding another person's happy event.
受惠shòu huì: Receive a benefit because another person offers kindness, help, or support.
蒙光méng guāng: Share in the honor or practical benefits brought by another person's standing or favor.

Definition in Chinese

借他人的好运或荣誉而得到好处。jiè tā rén de hǎo yùn huò róng yù ér dé dào hǎo chù

Word origin

沾光 (zhānguāng, "share in good fortune") uses 沾 (zhān, "come into contact with") and 光 (guāng, "light or glory") to picture another person's favorable fortune extending to others.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this verb often sounds modest or appreciative when a person benefits from a relative's, friend's, or colleague's success without claiming that success as their own.

Other meanings

  • profitverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word