# 攀龙附凤

pān lóng fù fèng

Seek advancement through powerful connections

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Cling to dragons and phoenixes

**Traditional Chinese:** 攀龍附鳳

**Register:** Critical · formal

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Criticize courting influential people for status.

Ordinary networking need not be opportunistic.

## Understanding the expression

Dragons and phoenixes stand for people of exceptional rank or influence. Clinging to them suggests borrowing their position rather than rising through one's own work. The phrase usually criticizes relationships pursued for advantage, especially when flattery or social ambition is obvious. It is not a neutral description of friendship across different backgrounds. The judgment concerns motive: treating another person as a ladder to wealth or standing.

## Examples

他到处攀龙附凤，想找捷径。

### Traditional Chinese

他到處攀龍附鳳，想找捷徑。

tā dào chù pān lóng fù fèng ， xiǎng zhǎo jié jìng 。

He courts powerful people everywhere, seeking a shortcut.

她不愿靠婚姻攀龙附凤。

### Traditional Chinese

她不願靠婚姻攀龍附鳳。

tā bú yuàn kào hūn yīn pān lóng fù fèng 。

She does not want to gain status through marriage.

别把正常交往都看作攀龙附凤。

### Traditional Chinese

別把正常交往都看作攀龍附鳳。

bié bǎ zhèng cháng jiāo wǎng dōu kàn zuò pān lóng fù fèng 。

Do not view all ordinary social contact as status seeking.

那人攀龙附凤，却轻视老朋友。

### Traditional Chinese

那人攀龍附鳳，卻輕視老朋友。

nà rén pān lóng fù fèng ， què qīng shì lǎo péng yǒu 。

He courts the influential while looking down on old friends.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%94%80%E9%BE%8D%E9%99%84%E9%B3%B3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=76&webMd=1&la=0)

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