REAL INTERNET CHINESE
to paddle water
coasting through work while looking busy, doing the bare minimum
- 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 a colleague is on their third tea break after one hour of real work, or confess it about yourself on a slow Friday. Light and teasing, not a serious accusation among friends.
Hear it in the wild
Tā shàngbān tiāntiān huáshuǐ.
He coasts at work every single day.
Zhōuwǔ xiàwǔ shìhé huáshuǐ.
Friday afternoons are made for coasting.
Quick answers
What does 划水 mean?
coasting through work while looking busy, doing the bare minimum
When do people say 划水?
Say it when a colleague is on their third tea break after one hour of real work, or confess it about yourself on a slow Friday. Light and teasing, not a serious accusation among friends.
When should you not say 划水?
Fine to confess about yourself or tease a peer. Never tell your boss a teammate is huashui, that is a formal accusation of slacking and it can cost them.
Take the wall with you: the slang deck, $9 once
All 185 expressions with their audio as an Anki deck, with who you can say them to on the back of every card. No subscription, 14 day refund.
HearMandarinTodayLearnPracticeReviewMePro