to touch fish
Slacking while looking busy, sneaking personal time on the clock.
Pick it when Pick it about yourself with a grin, or to tease a coworker scrolling their phone. Never admit it upward to the boss.
TELLING THEM APART
What is the difference between moyu, huashui and dajiangyou?
Moyu and huashui are nearly interchangeable: both mean slacking at work while looking busy, moyu leaning toward stealing time for personal fun, huashui toward putting in minimal effort. Dajiangyou is a different idea: you are not slacking, you simply have no real role, just passing by and not involved.
to paddle water
Coasting through the shared task, doing the bare minimum.
Pick it when Pick it for low effort inside a joint job, like a teammate paddling along in a group project. Light and teasing among peers.
to buy soy sauce
Not slacking at all: just passing by, no stake in what happens.
Pick it when Pick it to shrug off involvement, a meeting you add nothing to, an event you just wandered past. Never use it for duties people count on you for.
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