敷衍

fū yǎn

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

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Definitions

1. to elaborate (on a theme)
2. to expound (the classics)
3. perfunctory
4. to skimp
5. to botch
6. to do sth half-heartedly or just for show
7. barely enough to get by

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 认真 rèn zhēn 认真 rèn zhēn conscientious 敷衍 means to do something perfunctorily, while 认真 means to do something seriously and carefully.: conscientious

Related words

1 item

• 草率 cǎo shuài 草率 cǎo shuài careless 草率 implies rashness and lack of care, similar to the sloppy aspect of 敷衍.: careless

Synonyms

2 items

• 应付 yìng fu 应付 yìng fu to deal with Both can mean to deal with something perfunctorily or just enough to get by.: to deal with
• 马虎 mǎ hu 马虎 mǎ hu careless Both imply doing something carelessly or without thoroughness.: careless

Usage notes

Common mistakes

敷衍 is often used with objects like 事儿 or 了事, as in 敷衍了事 (to do something perfunctorily just to get it over with). It is rarely used alone without a complement.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他做事很 敷衍 ，没有认真完成。

He does things perfunctorily, without completing them seriously.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 敷衍

• 敷衍了事 敷衍了事 fū yǎn liǎo shì: (idiom) to do things half-heartedly; to merely go through the motions
• 敷衍塞责 敷衍塞责 fū yǎn sè zé: to skimp on the job; to work half-heartedly; not to take the job seriously

Child Words of 敷衍

• 敷 敷 fū: to spread
• 衍 衍 yǎn: to spread out