沾光

zhān guāng

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Rare

Definitions

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

Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 借光 jiè guāng 借光 jiè guāng excuse me (i.e. let me through, please) similar meaning, literally 'borrow light', often used in requests for favor: excuse me (i.e. let me through, please)

Synonyms

1 item

• 受益 shòu yì 受益 shòu yì to benefit from used when gaining benefit from association or reflected glory: to benefit from

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 光 guāng: light
• 沾 沾 zhān: to moisten