REAL INTERNET CHINESE
to buy soy sauce
just passing by, not involved, none of my business
- Who can you say it to?
- Friends and coworkers Normal among people your own age. Skip it with elders, clients and officials.
- Out loud, or only typed?
- Say it or type it Works out loud and in chat.
- Is it still used?
- Settled in Past the fad stage, part of everyday speech.
When to say it
Say it when people ask why you are somewhere you do not belong, a meeting you add nothing to, a protest you just walked past, a game you will lose. Shrugging, a bit cheeky.
Hear it in the wild
Nǐmen liáo, wǒ jiùshì lái dǎ jiàngyóu de.
You guys talk, I'm just here along for the ride.
Zhège xiàngmù wǒ chún dǎ jiàngyóu.
I'm purely a bystander on this project.
Quick answers
What does 打酱油 mean?
just passing by, not involved, none of my business
When do people say 打酱油?
Say it when people ask why you are somewhere you do not belong, a meeting you add nothing to, a protest you just walked past, a game you will lose. Shrugging, a bit cheeky.
When should you not say 打酱油?
It dodges responsibility, so never use it about duties people count on you for. Telling your team you are just buying soy sauce on a project sounds like you checked out.
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