You'll often hear the Chinese phrase 马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhūhū), especially when talking about how things are going or how someone is doing something. It essentially means "so-so" or "careless."
Think of it like this: if you ask a friend how their new job is, and they say 马马虎虎, they mean it's neither great nor terrible, just okay.
However, it can also describe someone's attitude or work ethic. If a student's homework is 马马虎虎, it implies they were a bit careless or didn't put in their best effort.
So, depending on the context, it can be a neutral description of quality or a slight criticism of effort.
When someone asks you how are you or how’s it going, and things are just okay, not great, not bad, you can say 马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhūhū). It means so-so or passable.
However, 马马虎虎 can also describe someone who is careless or not very meticulous. For example, if someone does their homework in a rush and makes many mistakes, their teacher might say they are 马马虎虎.
So, depending on the context, it can express either an average state or a lack of carefulness.
When someone says things are "马马虎虎" (mǎmǎhūhū), it means they are just okay, not great, not terrible—so-so. It can also describe someone who is a bit careless or sloppy, like saying, "He's a 馬馬虎虎 kind of person." Think of it like saying something is "passable" or that someone is "a bit slapdash." This phrase is very common in everyday conversation.
When someone describes something as 马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhǔhǔ), they mean it's just okay, or 'so-so'. It's not great, but not terrible either.
It can also be used to describe someone who is careless or not very meticulous in their work or actions. For example, if a student rushes through their homework and makes many mistakes, their teacher might say their work is 马马虎虎.
The phrase is quite versatile and commonly used in everyday conversations to express a moderate level of satisfaction or quality, or to point out a lack of diligence.
马马虎虎 30초 만에
- Not good, not bad; just okay.
- Careless or sloppy in work or action.
- Can be used for things and people.
발음 가이드
- Incorrect tone on the second 'ma'
- Not emphasizing the 'hu' sound enough
수준별 예문
你中文说得怎么样？我马马虎虎。
How's your Chinese? So-so.
这份报告写得太马马虎虎了，需要修改。
This report is too careless; it needs revisions.
他做事总是马马虎虎，所以经常出错。
He's always careless in his work, so he often makes mistakes.
这道菜的味道马马虎虎，不是特别好吃。
The taste of this dish is so-so, not especially delicious.
我最近身体马马虎虎，没有生病。
My health is so-so lately, not sick.
他学习态度马马虎虎，成绩一直不好。
His study attitude is careless, and his grades have always been bad.
今天的考试我考得马马虎虎，不知道能不能及格。
I did so-so on today's exam; I don't know if I can pass.
这项任务他完成得马马虎虎，勉强合格。
He completed this task carelessly, barely passing.
你最近工作怎么样？马马虎虎吧，不太忙。
How's your work recently? So-so, not too busy.
这个周末过得好吗？马马虎虎，在家休息了。
Did you have a good weekend? So-so, I rested at home.
他的中文水平怎么样？马马虎虎，能简单交流。
How's his Chinese level? So-so, he can communicate simply.
你对这次考试满意吗？马马虎虎，没有考得特别好。
Are you satisfied with this exam? So-so, I didn't do particularly well.
做事情不能马马虎虎，要认真。
You can't be careless when doing things, you need to be serious.
他写作业总是马马虎虎，所以经常出错。
He's always careless when doing homework, so he often makes mistakes.
别马马虎虎地把东西放好，很容易弄丢。
Don't carelessly put things away, it's easy to lose them.
她对学习的态度有点马马虎虎，需要改进。
Her attitude towards studying is a bit careless, she needs to improve.
你最近工作怎么样？马马虎虎，刚够糊口。
How's your job lately? So-so, just enough to get by.
他做事情总是马马虎虎，结果常常出错。
He's always careless with his work, and as a result, he often makes mistakes.
这顿饭做得马马虎虎，味道一般。
This meal was made so-so, the taste is just average.
考试考得怎么样？马马虎虎，勉强及格。
How did you do on the exam? So-so, just barely passed.
他对自己的学习态度马马虎虎，从不认真复习。
He's careless about his study attitude, never reviews diligently.
你觉得这家餐厅的菜好吃吗？马马虎虎吧，没有特别出彩的地方。
Do you think the food at this restaurant is good? So-so, nothing particularly outstanding.
这份报告写得太马马虎虎了，很多数据都有问题。
This report was written too carelessly, many data points are problematic.
他的中文水平马马虎虎，能进行简单的日常交流。
His Chinese level is so-so, he can handle simple daily conversations.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
我的汉语马马虎虎。
My Chinese is so-so.
他做事情总是马马虎虎。
He always does things carelessly.
你最近怎么样？马马虎虎。
How have you been lately? So-so.
这份报告写得太马马虎虎了。
This report was written too carelessly.
我对他的表现马马虎虎。
I'm so-so about his performance.
别马马虎虎的，要认真点！
Don't be careless, be more serious!
她的英语水平马马虎虎。
Her English level is so-so.
考试结果马马虎虎。
The exam results were so-so.
他这个人性格马马虎虎。
He's a careless person by nature.
工作马马虎虎是不能进步的。
Working carelessly will not lead to progress.
관용어 및 표현
"三心二意 (sān xīn èr yì)"
Of two minds; half-hearted.
他总是三心二意，做事情不能专心。
neutral"一举两得 (yī jǔ liǎng dé)"
Kill two birds with one stone.
跑步既能锻炼身体又能放松心情，真是一举两得。
neutral"画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú)"
To draw a snake and add feet to it; to ruin the effect by adding something superfluous.
这个设计已经很完美了，再加东西就是画蛇添足。
neutral"井底之蛙 (jǐng dǐ zhī wā)"
A frog in a well; a person with a limited outlook.
他从来不出远门，真是个井底之蛙。
neutral"对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín)"
To play the lute to a cow; to speak to the wrong audience.
跟不懂的人讲道理，简直是对牛弹琴。
neutral"入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú)"
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
我们到了外国，一定要入乡随俗。
neutral"半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi)"
Give up halfway; abandon something unfinished.
学习中文不能半途而废，要坚持下去。
neutral"亡羊补牢 (wáng yáng bǔ láo)"
To mend the fold after the sheep are gone; to take action after suffering a loss.
虽然已经出了问题，但是亡羊补牢，为时不晚。
neutral"知己知彼 (zhī jǐ zhī bǐ)"
Know yourself and know your enemy.
知己知彼，百战不殆。
formal"掩耳盗铃 (yǎn ěr dào líng)"
To plug one's ears while stealing a bell; deceive oneself.
他以为没人知道他做的坏事，真是掩耳盗铃。
neutral암기하기
기억법
Imagine a horse (马 mǎ) and a tiger (虎 hǔ). If something is 'horse-horse-tiger-tiger,' it's like a messy mix, not clearly one or the other. It's 'so-so' or 'careless.'
시각적 연상
Picture a person painting a horse and a tiger, but they're doing a really sloppy job, mixing the colors and lines. It's all '马马虎虎' – so-so, careless.
Word Web
챌린지
Describe your day using '马马虎虎'. Example: 今天我马马虎虎，不太好也不太坏。(Jīntiān wǒ mǎmǎhǔhǔ, bú tài hǎo yě bú tài huài.) - Today I'm so-so, not too good and not too bad. Or, describe someone's work: 他的工作马马虎虎。(Tā de gōngzuò mǎmǎhǔhǔ.) - His work is careless.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhūhū) means 'so-so' or 'careless'. It's a useful adjective to describe things that are just okay, or someone who is not very meticulous.
You can say: 我的中文马马虎虎 (wǒ de Zhōngwén mǎmǎhūhū). This means 'My Chinese is so-so.' It's a common and polite way to downplay your skills.
Yes, you can. For example: 他工作马马虎虎 (tā gōngzuò mǎmǎhūhū) means 'He's careless at work.' Or 她这个人马马虎虎 (tā zhè ge rén mǎmǎhūhū) means 'She's a careless person.'
It's generally neutral to slightly negative. When describing a skill, it's neutral, like 'not great, not terrible.' When describing a person's attitude or work, it leans negative, meaning 'careless' or 'not diligent.'
Yes, you can. For example: 这个菜味道马马虎虎 (zhè ge cài wèidào mǎmǎhūhū) means 'The taste of this dish is so-so.' It implies it's edible but not particularly delicious.
A common mistake is using it too broadly for 'okay' when a more positive word like '好 (hǎo)' or '不错 (bùcuò)' would be more appropriate for something you genuinely like. 马马虎虎 really means 'just acceptable.'
For 'so-so,' you might hear 一般般 (yībānbān), which is also casual. For 'careless,' 粗心 (cūxīn) is a direct synonym.
It's pronounced mǎmǎhūhū. Pay attention to the tones: third tone, third tone, first tone, first tone. The 'hūhu' part sounds a bit like 'hoo-hoo' with flat tones.
Absolutely. 今天天气马马虎虎 (jīntiān tiānqì mǎmǎhūhū) means 'The weather today is so-so.' And 这部电影马马虎虎 (zhè bù diànyǐng mǎmǎhūhū) means 'This movie is so-so.' Meaning, it's not a must-see, but not terrible either.
The idiom literally means 'horse horse tiger tiger.' It comes from an old story about a painter who was asked to paint a tiger but ended up painting something that looked half like a horse and half like a tiger. When people asked what it was, he'd say '马马虎虎,' indicating it was neither one clearly, or just 'whatever.' This eventually evolved to mean 'careless' or 'so-so.'
셀프 테스트 48 질문
Which of these describes something that is 'just okay' or 'so-so'?
马马虎虎 means so-so or just okay. The other options describe different levels of good or not good.
If someone says their Chinese is '马马虎虎', what do they mean?
Using 马马虎虎 for a skill implies it's mediocre, not particularly good or bad.
Which of these is NOT a meaning of 马马虎虎?
马马虎虎 means so-so or careless, never excellent.
If you do your homework '马马虎虎', it means you did it very carefully.
马马虎虎 can mean careless, so doing something '马马虎虎' means you didn't do it carefully.
When someone asks '你好吗？' (How are you?), you can answer '马马虎虎' to say you are feeling just okay.
Yes, '马马虎虎' is a common way to respond to 'How are you?' when you are feeling neither particularly good nor bad.
A student who is '马马虎虎' at their studies is probably a top student.
A student who is '马马虎虎' at their studies is doing just okay, not excelling. It can also imply being careless with their work.
How are you? I'm so-so.
He speaks Chinese so-so.
Don't be careless when doing homework.
Read this aloud:
我今天马马虎虎。
Focus: ma ma hu hu
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我的汉语水平马马虎虎。
Focus: han yu shui ping
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
不要马马虎虎地工作。
Focus: bu yao
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence describing something that is 'so-so' in quality or performance. For example, '我的中文马马虎虎。' (My Chinese is so-so.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个电影马马虎虎。(This movie is so-so.)
Imagine someone asks you '你今天怎么样？' (How are you today?) Write a short answer using '马马虎虎' to describe how you're feeling.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我马马虎虎。(I am so-so.)
Write a simple sentence describing a student who is 'careless' in their studies, using '马马虎虎'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他学习马马虎虎。(He studies carelessly.)
小明画画怎么样？(How is Xiao Ming's drawing?)
Read this passage:
小明喜欢画画，但是他画得马马虎虎。他的老师说他要认真一点儿。(Xiao Ming likes to draw, but he draws carelessly. His teacher said he needs to be a little more serious.)
小明画画怎么样？(How is Xiao Ming's drawing?)
The passage states '他画得马马虎虎', meaning he draws carelessly.
The passage states '他画得马马虎虎', meaning he draws carelessly.
作者的午饭怎么样？(How is the author's lunch?)
Read this passage:
你的午饭好吃吗？我的午饭马马虎虎，不太好吃也不太难吃。(Is your lunch delicious? My lunch is so-so, not too delicious and not too bad.)
作者的午饭怎么样？(How is the author's lunch?)
The passage says '我的午饭马马虎虎', indicating it is so-so.
The passage says '我的午饭马马虎虎', indicating it is so-so.
为什么作者不想买衣服？(Why doesn't the author want to buy clothes?)
Read this passage:
这个商店的衣服马马虎虎，我不想买。(The clothes in this store are so-so, I don't want to buy them.)
为什么作者不想买衣服？(Why doesn't the author want to buy clothes?)
The passage explicitly states '衣服马马虎虎，我不想买' meaning the clothes are so-so, so the author doesn't want to buy them.
The passage explicitly states '衣服马马虎虎，我不想买' meaning the clothes are so-so, so the author doesn't want to buy them.
Write a short sentence describing something that is just 'so-so' using 马马虎虎.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的中文说得马马虎虎。(My Chinese speaking is so-so.)
Write a sentence using 马马虎虎 to describe someone's work ethic if they are careless.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他的工作态度马马虎虎，常常出错。(His work attitude is careless, often making mistakes.)
Imagine your friend asks you how your new restaurant experience was. Write a reply using 马马虎虎 to say it was 'just okay.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
那家餐厅的味道和服务都马马虎虎，没什么特别的。(The food and service at that restaurant were just so-so, nothing special.)
根据对话，小红的学习怎么样？
Read this passage:
小明问小红：“你最近学习怎么样？” 小红回答：“马马虎虎，考试成绩不太好。”
根据对话，小红的学习怎么样？
小红说“马马虎虎，考试成绩不太好”，意思是她的学习情况一般，不太好。
小红说“马马虎虎，考试成绩不太好”，意思是她的学习情况一般，不太好。
老师认为小王这次作业做得怎么样？
Read this passage:
老师对小王说：“你这次的作业做得有点马马虎虎，需要更认真。”
老师认为小王这次作业做得怎么样？
老师说小王的作业“有点马马虎虎”，并且说“需要更认真”，说明作业不够认真，有点粗心。
老师说小王的作业“有点马马虎虎”，并且说“需要更认真”，说明作业不够认真，有点粗心。
这件衣服的质量怎么样？
Read this passage:
我昨天去商店买了一件衣服，质量马马虎虎，但是价格很便宜。
这件衣服的质量怎么样？
文中提到“质量马马虎虎”，指的是质量一般，不算好也不算差。
文中提到“质量马马虎虎”，指的是质量一般，不算好也不算差。
Someone is asking about study progress.
A manager is reviewing a report.
Describing someone's Chinese speaking ability.
Read this aloud:
你觉得这家餐厅的菜怎么样？
Focus: 马马虎虎
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我的工作做得马马虎虎，不夠认真。
Focus: 马马虎虎
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这个计划太马马虎虎了，我们得重新考虑。
Focus: 马马虎虎
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine your friend asks you how your new job is. You want to say it's just 'so-so.' Write a short response using 马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhǔhǔ).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的新工作马马虎虎，不太忙也不太轻松。(My new job is so-so, not too busy and not too relaxed.)
Your teacher gives you feedback that your recent homework was a bit careless. Write a sentence acknowledging this using 马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhǔhǔ).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
对不起，我的作业有点儿马马虎虎。(Sorry, my homework was a bit careless.)
Describe a situation where someone might do something 马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhǔhǔ).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
如果你不认真做事情，结果就会马马虎虎。(If you don't do things carefully, the result will be so-so/careless.)
小明为什么后悔？
Read this passage:
小明准备考试，但他学习得马马虎虎。考试结果出来后，他很后悔。他想如果他再认真一些，成绩会更好。
小明为什么后悔？
文章中提到小明学习得马马虎虎，考试结果出来后他很后悔，因为如果他认真一些，成绩会更好。
文章中提到小明学习得马马虎虎，考试结果出来后他很后悔，因为如果他认真一些，成绩会更好。
根据短文，天气怎么样？
Read this passage:
今天的天气马马虎虎，没有下雨也没有出太阳。所以我们决定去室内活动。我们看了一部电影，还玩了一些游戏。
根据短文，天气怎么样？
短文中明确指出“今天的天气马马虎虎，没有下雨也没有出太阳”。
短文中明确指出“今天的天气马马虎虎，没有下雨也没有出太阳”。
为什么大卫的老板不太满意？
Read this passage:
大卫的工作总是马马虎虎的，所以他的老板不太满意。老板希望他能更细心，更负责任。
为什么大卫的老板不太满意？
短文中提到“大卫的工作总是马马虎虎的，所以他的老板不太满意”。
短文中提到“大卫的工作总是马马虎虎的，所以他的老板不太满意”。
Describe a time you or someone you know did something '马马虎虎' and the consequences. (Minimum 80 characters)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次，我做作业时马马虎虎的，没有仔细检查。结果第二天老师发现了很多错误，我感到很丢脸。从那以后，我做任何事情都 стараюсь认真一点。
Imagine you are giving advice to a friend who is always '马马虎虎' with their studies. What would you say? (Minimum 80 characters)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的朋友，你最近学习总是马马虎虎的，这样下去成绩会受影响的。你应该更认真一些，多花点时间复习，不要总是敷衍了事。毕竟，一分耕耘一分收获。
Write a short dialogue (2-3 exchanges) where one person uses '马马虎虎' to describe their performance or feelings about something. (Minimum 60 characters)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A: 昨天你面试怎么样？ B: 马马虎虎吧，感觉回答得不太好，希望他们能给我机会。 A: 别灰心，也许在面试官看来你已经很不错了。
根据短文，小李的同事为什么劝他认真工作？
Read this passage:
小李最近工作总是马马虎虎，文件经常出错，老板对此很不满意。他的同事劝他要认真对待工作，不然可能会影响他的职业发展。小李听了之后，决定以后要改掉这个坏习惯。
根据短文，小李的同事为什么劝他认真工作？
文章中明确提到“他的同事劝他要认真对待工作，不然可能会影响他的职业发展”。
文章中明确提到“他的同事劝他要认真对待工作，不然可能会影响他的职业发展”。
小红对这次考试的感受是什么？
Read this passage:
考试结束后，小明问小红：“你觉得这次考试考得怎么样？”小红叹了口气说：“马马虎虎吧，有些题我都没来得及仔细看就写了答案。”
小红对这次考试的感受是什么？
小红说“马马虎虎吧”并且解释说“有些题我都没来得及仔细看就写了答案”，表明她对自己的表现不满意。
小红说“马马虎虎吧”并且解释说“有些题我都没来得及仔细看就写了答案”，表明她对自己的表现不满意。
根据这段文字，关于王阿姨的饭菜，下面哪句话是正确的？
Read this passage:
王阿姨做的饭菜味道总是马马虎虎，虽然不难吃，但也没有什么特色。不过，大家都很喜欢她热情好客的态度，所以还是经常去她家吃饭。
根据这段文字，关于王阿姨的饭菜，下面哪句话是正确的？
文章中说“味道总是马马虎虎，虽然不难吃，但也没有什么特色”，这意味着味道一般。
文章中说“味道总是马马虎虎，虽然不难吃，但也没有什么特色”，这意味着味道一般。
This sentence describes someone who is always careless at work, leading to frequent mistakes. '他' (he) is the subject, '工作' (work) is the object, '总是' (always) is an adverb of frequency, '马马虎虎' (careless) describes his attitude, '所以' (therefore) indicates consequence, and '经常出错' (often makes mistakes) is the result.
This sentence advises against being careless with studies, emphasizing the need to be serious and diligent. '你' (you) is the subject, '对待学习' (treat studies) is the action, '不能马马虎虎' (cannot be careless) is the prohibition, and '要认真努力' (must be serious and diligent) is the positive instruction.
This sentence critiques a report for being carelessly written with incorrect data. '这份报告' (this report) is the subject, '写得马马虎虎' (written carelessly) describes the quality, and '很多数据都不对' (many data are incorrect) explains why it's careless.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
“马马虎虎” means something is just acceptable, or someone is careless.
- Not good, not bad; just okay.
- Careless or sloppy in work or action.
- Can be used for things and people.
예시
他的中文说得马马虎虎。
관련 콘텐츠
general 관련 단어
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
一点儿
A1a little, a bit
一会儿
A1a moment, a while
一部分
B1part; portion; minority
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
