Meanings of 敷衍
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 敷衍
Podcast: 敷衍
Podcast: 敷衍
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 敷衍
敷衍 (fūyǎn) vs 马虎 (mǎhu) — use 敷衍 when emphasizing a lack of genuine effort or care, while 马虎 focuses more on being careless or negligent.
Common mistakes include confusing 敷衍 with similar-sounding words like 发言 (fā yán, to speak) or 演 (yǎn, to perform), which carry more positive connotations. 敷衍 is often used negatively, so be mindful of context; it is more suitable in informal settings but can also appear in critical discussions.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 敷衍 connects with other advanced vocabulary that discusses quality, effort, and engagement. Students should focus on understanding the nuanced differences between this word and others related to effort, such as 努力 (nǔ lì, to strive).
Learners often mistakenly use 敷衍 to describe general lack of effort without realizing it has a specific connotation of superficiality. For example, saying '他很敷衍地工作' (He works very perfunctorily) can be correct, but using it for simple laziness is a common error. Instead, one might use 懒惰 (lǎn duò, lazy) in such cases.
Pronunciation of 敷衍
Drill the tone of 敷衍 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
How to say to elaborate (on a theme) in Chinese
“to elaborate (on a theme)” in Chinese is敷衍
The verb 敷衍 (fū yǎn) refers to doing something in a perfunctory manner, often lacking in detail or effort. It implies a sense of skimping or doing the bare minimum, whether in work, explanations, or personal interactions, suggesting a lack of genuine care or commitment.
When to use 敷衍
Common mistakes include confusing 敷衍 with similar-sounding words like 发言 (fā yán, to speak) or 演 (yǎn, to perform), which carry more positive connotations. 敷衍 is often used negatively, so be mindful of context; it is more suitable in informal settings but can also appear in critical discussions.
敷衍 or something close to it
敷衍 (fūyǎn) vs 马虎 (mǎhu) — use 敷衍 when emphasizing a lack of genuine effort or care, while 马虎 focuses more on being careless or negligent.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 敷衍 to describe general lack of effort without realizing it has a specific connotation of superficiality. For example, saying '他很敷衍地工作' (He works very perfunctorily) can be correct, but using it for simple laziness is a common error. Instead, one might use 懒惰 (lǎn duò, lazy) in such cases.
Write 敷衍
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 敷衍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 敷衍
敷衍 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
李教授向来严谨治学，从不____了事。
Professor Li has always been rigorous in his scholarship and never does things in a slapdash manner.
Example Sentences for 敷衍 (4)
Frequently Asked Questions about 敷衍
You might use 敷衍 when describing someone who only gives a superficial response in a discussion or when someone does a task without real effort.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 敷衍?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.