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沾光

zhān guāng
HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Rare

Definitions

  1. 1. to bask in the light
  2. 2. fig. to benefit from association with sb or sth
  3. 3. reflected glory

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item
借光
jiè guāng

excuse me (i.e. let me through, please)

similar meaning, literally 'borrow light', often used in requests for favor

Synonyms

1 item
受益
shòu yì

to benefit from

used when gaining benefit from association or reflected glory

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 沾光 to express literal illumination; it exclusively refers to benefiting through association.

Formality

沾光 is commonly used in informal spoken Chinese, often in self-deprecating or modest contexts.

Example Sentences

1 shown
这次成功全靠你，我只是 沾光 而已。
This success is all thanks to you; I just benefited from your glory.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 沾光

光
guāng

light

沾
zhān

to moisten