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B2 verb 10 min read

对付

duìfu

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 对付 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 对付 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '对付' (duìfu) yet, but you might hear it. Think of it as a way to say 'to do' something difficult. It's like saying 'I handle this.' For a beginner, just remember it means 'to deal with.' If a situation is hard, you 'duìfu' it. It is a verb. You can say 'I deal with him' (我对付他). It is a useful word for when things are not easy.

At the A2 level, you can start using '对付' to talk about simple problems. For example, if you have a lot of homework, you can say you are 'dealing with' it. It's more specific than '做' (zuò - to do). It shows that the work is a bit of a challenge. You might also use it for 'making do.' If you only have bread for dinner, you can say '对付一下' (make do with it). This is a very common phrase in daily life.

By B1, you should understand that '对付' is often used for people. If someone is annoying or if you are playing a game against them, you '对付' them. It implies a strategy. You are not just talking to them; you are managing the interaction. You should also start using potential complements like '对付不了' (cannot handle). For example, 'This problem is too hard, I can't handle it' (这个问题太难了，我对付不了).

At the B2 level, where this word is officially categorized, you should master its dual meanings: 'to handle/cope with' and 'to make do.' You should be able to use it in professional contexts (dealing with a crisis) and informal contexts (getting by on a low budget). You should also distinguish it from synonyms like '处理' (chǔlǐ - to process) and '应对' (yìngduì - to respond). B2 learners should feel comfortable using '对付' in a variety of sentence structures, including those with duration or result complements.

C1 learners should appreciate the subtle connotations of '对付.' It can imply a lack of sincerity (perfunctory handling) or a clever tactical maneuver. You might use it to describe political strategies or complex psychological management. At this level, you should also be familiar with how it appears in literature and news, often representing a pragmatic approach to unsolvable dilemmas. You can use it to describe how one 'deals with' existential concepts like loneliness or aging.

At the C2 level, '对付' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it to critique someone's half-hearted efforts (他在对付差事 - He's just going through the motions at work) or to describe the grit of someone surviving in harsh conditions. You understand its deep roots in Chinese pragmatism—the idea that life isn't always about perfect solutions, but about 'handling' what comes your way with whatever tools you have. You can use it fluently in philosophical discussions about human resilience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

对付 in 30 Seconds

Used to describe handling difficult people, opponents, or challenging situations with a sense of strategy or effort.
Commonly means 'to make do' or 'to get by' in informal settings, especially regarding food, money, or tools.
Can imply a perfunctory or half-hearted attitude when used to describe how someone performs a task or duty.
Essential for expressing the ability (or inability) to cope, often paired with potential complements like '得了' or '不了'.

The Chinese verb 对付 (duìfu) is a versatile and essential term in the Mandarin lexicon, primarily used to describe the act of dealing with, coping with, or handling a situation, person, or object. At its core, the word carries a nuance of struggle or effort; it is rarely used for simple tasks like 'handling a pen' but rather for 'handling a difficult boss' or 'coping with a broken car.' The first character, 对 (duì), means 'to face' or 'opposite,' while the second, 付 (fù), means 'to pay' or 'to hand over.' Together, they evoke the image of standing face-to-face with a challenge and delivering what is necessary to manage it.

Interpersonal Context: When used with people, it often implies dealing with someone who is difficult, antagonistic, or an opponent. For example, if you are playing a game of chess, you are thinking about how to duìfu your opponent's strategy.
Problem Solving: In a situational context, it refers to managing a crisis or a complication. If a pipe bursts and you don't have a wrench, you might use a pair of pliers to duìfu the situation temporarily.
Colloquial Usage: In Northern dialects and informal speech, it can also mean 'to make do' or 'to get by.' If someone asks how the food is and you say it's hái kěyǐ duìfu, you mean it’s passable or adequate enough to satisfy the need for now.

他这个人很难对付，你得小心点。(Tā zhège rén hěn nán duìfu, nǐ děi xiǎoxīn diǎn.) — This person is very hard to deal with; you have to be careful.

Furthermore, the word is frequently heard in professional settings where employees discuss how to handle demanding clients or unexpected technical glitches. It carries a sense of pragmatism—you aren't necessarily solving the problem perfectly for all eternity; you are managing it so that it doesn't manage you. In the context of self-defense or competitive sports, '对付' is the standard term for countering an attack. For instance, 'How to deal with a left-hook' would translate using this word. It is this blend of tactical confrontation and practical 'making do' that makes it a B2-level essential for any learner aiming for fluency.

这点钱够我们对付几天的了。(Zhè diǎn qián gòu wǒmen duìfu jǐ tiān de le.) — This bit of money is enough for us to scrape by for a few days.

In summary, whether you are dealing with a cunning adversary, a malfunctioning machine, or just trying to survive until your next paycheck, duìfu is your go-to verb. It bridges the gap between 'solving' and 'surviving,' offering a nuanced way to describe the complexities of daily life and strategic conflict.

Using 对付 (duìfu) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. The structure is typically [Subject] + [对付] + [Object]. The object can be a person, a group, a situation, or even an abstract concept like 'hunger' or 'cold.'

Dealing with People: When the object is a person, it often implies a power dynamic or a conflict. You 'deal with' a naughty child, a strict teacher, or a business rival.
Example: 我不知道该怎么对付他。 (I don't know how to deal with him.)
Dealing with Hardship: It is used to describe managing basic needs under pressure. You can 'deal with' hunger (对付饥饿) or 'deal with' the cold (对付寒冷). This usage highlights the 'making do' aspect of the word.

我们必须想个办法来对付这个紧急情况。(Wǒmen bìxū xiǎng gè bànfǎ lái duìfu zhège jǐnjí qíngkuàng.) — We must think of a way to deal with this emergency.

One interesting feature of duìfu is its ability to take a complement. You might hear '对付得了' (can handle/deal with) or '对付不了' (cannot handle/deal with). This is the potential complement structure, which is vital for expressing your capacity to manage a problem. If a task is too difficult, you would say, '我一个人对付不了这么多工作' (I can't handle this much work by myself).

别担心，我能对付得了他。(Bié dānxīn, wǒ néng duìfu dé liǎo tā.) — Don't worry, I can handle him.

In more formal writing, duìfu might be replaced by 应对 (yìngduì), but in spoken Mandarin, duìfu reigns supreme because it adds a layer of 'getting the job done' regardless of the elegance of the solution. It is also worth noting that in some contexts, it can mean 'to satisfy someone' in a perfunctory way, similar to 'going through the motions.' If you are just doing a job to get it over with, you are duìfu-ing the work. This adds a slightly negative connotation of lack of sincerity or effort, which is essential to recognize in social cues.

The word 对付 (duìfu) is a staple of everyday Mandarin, appearing in diverse environments from high-stakes drama to kitchen-table conversations. Understanding the 'vibe' of where it appears will help you use it more naturally.

In Action Movies and Wuxia: You will constantly hear heroes and villains discussing how to 'deal with' their enemies. '你怎么对付他的剑法？' (How do you deal with his sword technique?) It sounds gritty and tactical.
In the Workplace: Colleagues often use it when discussing difficult clients or bureaucracies. '我们要想个办法对付那个挑剔的客户。' (We need to find a way to deal with that picky client.)
In Households: Parents might use it when talking about managing a rebellious teenager or even a stubborn appliance. '这台旧电视还能再对付几年。' (This old TV can still be made to work for a few more years.)

你别拿这话来对付我。(Nǐ bié ná zhè huà lái duìfu wǒ.) — Don't use those words to just brush me off / deal with me perfunctorily.

In television dramas, particularly those involving palace intrigue or modern corporate battles, duìfu is the word of choice for plotting. It implies a targeted response. If someone is attacking you, you don't just 'resolve' it (解决); you 'deal with' them (对付). It carries a sense of active resistance. You might also hear it in news reports concerning how a country plans to 'deal with' an economic crisis or a natural disaster, though 应对 is more common in formal scripts. However, in the interview portion of the news, the experts will almost certainly revert to duìfu because it feels more grounded and practical.

他在外面很能对付。(Tā zài wàimiàn hěn néng duìfu.) — He is very capable of handling things/getting by out in the world.

Lastly, listen for it in the context of 'settling for' something. If you can't find a perfect husband, some might say '对付着过吧' (just make do and live together), though this is quite cynical! This range—from combat to compromise—is what makes duìfu a linguistic Swiss Army knife in Chinese society.

While 对付 (duìfu) is extremely useful, learners often stumble over its nuances, particularly when comparing it to other 'dealing with' verbs. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Confusing '对付' with '解决' (jiějué): '解决' means to solve a problem completely. '对付' means to handle it, often temporarily or by struggle. You solve (解决) a math problem, but you deal with (对付) a bully. You wouldn't '对付' a math problem unless the problem itself was behaving like an enemy!
Mistake 2: Confusing '对付' with '处理' (chǔlǐ): '处理' is neutral and professional. It's like 'processing' or 'handling' (e.g., handling documents). '对付' is more colloquial and implies a challenge. You '处理' an application, but you '对付' a difficult applicant.

Incorrect: 我要对付这个数学题。(Wǒ yào duìfu zhège shùxué tí.) — I want to deal with this math problem. (Sounds like the math problem is attacking you.)

Another common error is using duìfu when you mean 'to treat' (as in medical treatment) or 'to treat someone well/badly.' For 'treating a person,' use 对待 (duìdài). If you say '他对我很好' (He treats me well), you cannot substitute 对付. If you said '他很会对付我,' it would mean 'He is very good at managing/manipulating me,' which has a very different meaning!

Correct: 这种药是用来对付感冒的。(Zhè zhǒng yào shì yòng lái duìfu gǎnmào de.) — This medicine is used to cope with/fight off a cold.

Finally, watch out for the 'making do' usage. Learners often forget that duìfu can be an intransitive verb in this sense. Saying '就这样对付吧' (Let's just make do with this) is perfectly natural, but learners often try to add an object where none is needed. Understanding that duìfu implies a 'good enough for now' attitude in these cases will help you avoid sounding too formal when a situation calls for pragmatism.

To master 对付 (duìfu), you must see how it sits among its 'synonym siblings.' Each has a specific flavor and domain.

应对 (yìngduì) vs. 对付: 应对 is the formal, professional version. You '应对' a challenge in a speech; you '对付' a challenge in the trenches. 应对 is about 'responding,' while 对付 is about 'handling.'
应付 (yìngfu) vs. 对付: 应付 often implies doing something perfunctorily or just barely getting by. While 对付 can mean 'making do,' 应付 more strongly suggests 'faking it' or 'going through the motions' to satisfy someone. If you '应付' an exam, you didn't study and just scribbled answers.
收拾 (shōushi) vs. 对付: 收拾 literally means to tidy up, but slangily it means 'to teach someone a lesson' or 'to fix someone.' It is much more aggressive and final than 对付. If you '收拾' an enemy, you've defeated them decisively. If you '对付' them, you're still in the middle of managing the threat.

我们得找个更专业的词来应对媒体，但私下里我们得想办法对付那个记者。(Wǒmen děi zhǎo gè gèng zhuānyè de cí lái yìngduì méitǐ, dàn sīxià lǐ wǒmen děi xiǎng bànfǎ duìfu nàge jìzhě.) — We need a more professional word to respond to the media, but privately we need to find a way to deal with 그 reporter.

Other alternatives include 抵挡 (dǐdǎng - to resist/fend off) which is purely defensive, and 处置 (chǔzhì - to dispose of/handle) which is very formal and often used in legal or official contexts. If you are 'dealing with' leftovers, you might use 解决 (jiějué - solve/finish off) rather than 对付, unless the leftovers are particularly unappealing and you're just 'making do' with them for dinner. Understanding these subtle shifts in meaning will elevate your Chinese from 'textbook' to 'native-like.'

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the neutral tone version (duìfu), the word is much more common in Northern China. In Southern China, speakers might use '处理' or '应对' more often in formal contexts, but '对付' remains the universal choice for 'making do.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dweɪ fʊ/

US /dweɪ fu/

The stress is on the first syllable 'Duì'. The second syllable 'fu' is often pronounced in the neutral tone (5th tone) in standard Mandarin.

Rhymes With

岁数 (suìshu) 退步 (tuìbù - partial) 队伍 (duìwǔ) 会务 (huìwù) 财务 (cáiwù - partial) 业务 (yèwù - partial) 肺腑 (fèifǔ) 内幕 (nèimù - partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fu' with a strong 4th tone (fù) instead of the neutral tone.
Failing to glide the 'u' and 'i' in 'dui', making it sound like 'doo-ee' instead of 'dway'.
Over-emphasizing the second syllable, which makes the word sound unnatural in casual speech.
Mixing up the tones, pronouncing it as 'duí fu' or 'duǐ fu'.
Confusing the 'f' sound with an 'h' sound in certain regional dialects.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively common, but the meaning shifts based on context.

Writing 4/5

Writing '付' is easy, but '对' requires attention to stroke order. Using it correctly in context is the challenge.

Speaking 3/5

The neutral tone on 'fu' is important for sounding native.

Listening 4/5

Can be confused with '应付' or '对待' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

对 (duì) 付 (fù) 做 (zuò) 人 (rén) 事 (shì)

Learn Next

应对 (yìngduì) 应付 (yìngfu) 处理 (chǔlǐ) 解决 (jiějué) 对待 (duìdài)

Advanced

策略 (cèlüè) 博弈 (bóyì) 权宜之计 (quányí zhī jì) 苟且 (gǒuqiě)

Grammar to Know

Potential Complements (V+得/不+C)

对付得了 / 对付不了

Aspect Marker '着' (V+着)

对付着过 (making do and living)

Resultative Complements

对付过去 (to get through/by)

Reduplication (V+一下)

对付一下 (deal with it briefly/make do for a moment)

Object Placement

对付他 (transitive usage)

Examples by Level

我能对付他。

I can handle him.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

你怎么对付？

How do you deal with it?

Using '怎么' to ask for the method.

他对付孩子。

He deals with the child.

Direct object '孩子'.

别对付我。

Don't just brush me off.

Negative imperative '别'.

对付一下吧。

Just make do for now.

Using '一下' to soften the verb.

他会对付。

He knows how to handle it.

Using '会' to express ability.

我要对付工作。

I need to deal with work.

Using '要' to express intention.

对付敌人。

Deal with the enemy.

Verb-object phrase.

今天中午就对付吃一点吧。

Let's just make do and eat a little for lunch today.

Adverbial '就' and '一点' modifying the action.

这双旧鞋还能对付穿。

These old shoes can still be made to work/worn.

Potential use of '能' with '对付'.

他很会对手下的人。

He is good at handling his subordinates.

Using '很会' to describe skill.

我们怎么对付这个难题？

How do we deal with this difficult problem?

Question word '怎么' with '难题'.

他一个人对付不了这么多事。

He can't handle so many things by himself.

Potential complement '对付不了'.

别用这种话来对付我。

Don't use those words to just brush me off.

Using '用...来' structure.

这台电脑还能再对付两年。

This computer can still last/be made to work for two more years.

Duration '两年' after the verb.

你得想办法对付他。

You have to think of a way to deal with him.

Using '想办法' (think of a way).

这种小事，我还能对付得了。

I can handle this kind of small matter.

Potential complement '对付得了'.

他总是想办法对付那些挑剔的客户。

He is always finding ways to deal with those picky customers.

Adverb '总是' (always).

虽然条件不好，但我们还能对付过去。

Although conditions aren't good, we can still get by.

Result complement '过去' implying getting through a period.

我们要商量一下怎么对付明天的比赛。

We need to discuss how to handle tomorrow's match.

Verb '商量' (discuss) followed by a clause.

他那个人，你最好少跟他对付。

That guy, you'd better have as little to do with him as possible.

Using '少跟...对付' meaning to have little dealing with.

这点钱对付一阵子还没问题。

This bit of money is no problem for getting by for a while.

Duration phrase '一阵子'.

你别想用这种借口来对付我。

Don't think you can use this excuse to put me off.

Combining '想' (think/plan) with '用...来'.

他很擅长对付突发状况。

He is very good at dealing with sudden situations.

Using '擅长' (to be good at).

为了对付日益严重的污染，政府出台了新政策。

To deal with the increasingly serious pollution, the government introduced new policies.

Using '为了...对付' to show purpose.

他显然是在对付差事，根本没用心。

He's clearly just going through the motions, not putting his heart into it at all.

Idiomatic phrase '对付差事' (going through the motions).

我们必须联合起来对付共同的敌人。

We must unite to deal with our common enemy.

Verb '联合' (unite) and adjective '共同' (common).

这种药专门用来对付耐药性细菌。

This medicine is specifically used to deal with drug-resistant bacteria.

Adverb '专门' (specifically).

他那个人心机很深，很难对付。

He is very calculating and very difficult to deal with.

Descriptive clause before '很难对付'.

这笔奖金够他对手头上的债务了。

This bonus is enough for him to handle the debts he has on hand.

Using '够...对付' (enough to handle).

别看他平时不说话，对付起人来可有一套。

Don't be fooled by his usual silence; he has a whole set of tricks when it comes to dealing with people.

Structure '对付起...来' (when it comes to dealing with...).

在野外生存，你得学会怎么对付寒冷和饥饿。

To survive in the wild, you must learn how to cope with cold and hunger.

Abstract objects '寒冷' and '饥饿'.

他这种敷衍了事的态度，纯粹是在对付观众。

His perfunctory attitude is purely a way of just 'handling' (dismissing) the audience.

Using '对付' to mean perfunctory interaction.

面对复杂的国际局势，我们需要更有力的手段来对付挑战。

In the face of a complex international situation, we need more powerful means to deal with challenges.

Formal register with '应对' as a potential synonym but '对付' adding grit.

他用一种玩世不恭的态度来对付生活中的各种磨难。

He uses a cynical attitude to cope with the various tribulations in his life.

Abstract usage for psychological coping mechanisms.

这篇文章写得太马虎，明显是在对付老师。

This essay was written too carelessly; it’s clearly just meant to 'get by' with the teacher.

Using '对付' to imply lack of quality for an authority figure.

他很擅长利用对方的弱点来对付对手。

He is very good at utilizing the opponent's weaknesses to deal with them.

Complex tactical description.

在那个动荡的年代，他们只能靠这种方式对付着活下去。

In those turbulent times, they could only rely on this method to scrape by and survive.

Using '对付着' as an adverbial for survival.

别以为你可以随便拿几句话就把我对付了。

Don't think you can just dismiss me/handle me with a few casual words.

Resultative '把...对付了'.

这种策略虽然能对付一时，但并非长久之计。

Although this strategy can deal with things for a time, it is not a long-term solution.

Contrast between '对付一时' and '长久之计'.

他的一生都在与命运对付，那种韧性令人动容。

He spent his whole life grappling with fate; that kind of resilience is moving.

Metaphorical use of '与...对付' (grappling with).

文人墨客常以诗词对付寂寥，在文字中寻求慰藉。

Literati often use poetry to cope with loneliness, seeking solace in words.

Highly literary context.

这种官僚主义的对付方式，严重阻碍了社会的进步。

This bureaucratic way of 'making do' (half-hearted handling) has seriously hindered social progress.

Using '对付' as an attributive adjective for a negative style.

他深谙韬光养晦之道，以此来对付那些咄咄逼人的政敌。

He is well-versed in the way of hiding one's light and biding one's time to deal with aggressive political enemies.

Use of idioms (韬光养晦) with '对付'.

在哲学的维度上，人类该如何对付死亡带来的虚无感？

On a philosophical dimension, how should humanity deal with the sense of nothingness brought by death?

Deep philosophical inquiry.

他那看似随意的举止，实则是对付世俗偏见的有力武器。

His seemingly casual demeanor is, in fact, a powerful weapon for dealing with worldly prejudices.

Paradoxical description.

这种对付生活的态度，既是一种无奈，也是一种智慧。

This attitude of 'making do' with life is both a form of helplessness and a form of wisdom.

Abstract appraisal of a lifestyle.

他用尽毕生精力去对付那个庞大的利益集团。

He spent his life's energy dealing with that massive interest group.

Intense struggle context.

Common Collocations

对付敌人

对付困难

凑合对付

对付得了

对付不了

对付差事

对付饥饿

对付媒体

对付过去

很难对付

Common Phrases

对付着过

— To just get by in life or in a relationship. It implies a lack of passion or ideal conditions.

日子就这么对付着过吧。

找人对付

— To find someone to handle a specific person (usually an enemy or difficult person).

他找了几个朋友去对付那帮流氓。

对付一口

— To grab a quick, simple bite to eat because one is busy or lacks better options.

别麻烦了，我随便对付一口就行。

对付到底

— To deal with someone or something until the very end; to resist to the finish.

我们要跟他们对付到底。

好对付

— Easy to deal with; a pushover.

别以为我好对付。

没法对付

— No way to deal with it; helpless against something.

这种病毒目前还没法对付。

专门对付

— Specifically designed or intended to deal with a particular thing.

这是专门对付蚊子的药。

对付事儿

— To do things in a perfunctory way (Northern dialect variant).

你这孩子，怎么老是对付事儿？

对付局面

— To handle a situation or a 'scene.'

他有经验，能对付这种大局面。

对付寒冷

— To cope with the cold (e.g., by wearing more clothes).

多穿点衣服对付寒冷。

Often Confused With

对付 vs 对待

对待 means to treat someone (well/badly), whereas 对付 means to deal with someone as a challenge.

对付 vs 对比

对比 means to compare; it has no relation to handling or dealing with things.

对付 vs 对付 (duìfù)

When pronounced with a full 4th tone on 'fu', it sounds formal or can be mistaken for 'matching payments' in historical texts.

Idioms & Expressions

"游刃有余"

— To handle something with great ease and skill. While not using '对付' itself, it is the 'pro' version of being able to deal with things.

他对付这种客户真是游刃有余。

Literary

"应付自如"

— To handle a situation with ease and confidence.

他在记者会上应付自如。

Formal

"敷衍了事"

— To play at a task; to do it just to get it over with. Directly related to the perfunctory meaning of 对付.

他做事总是敷衍了事，纯粹是在对付。

Neutral

"见招拆招"

— To counter every move; to deal with things as they come. A classic '对付' strategy.

别担心，我们见招拆招，总能对付他的。

Colloquial/Martial Arts

"兵来将挡，水来土掩"

— Adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation. A philosophy of '对付'.

怕什么？兵来将挡，水来土掩，总有办法对付。

Common Saying

"对症下药"

— To suit the remedy to the case. A specific way to '对付' a problem.

我们要对症下药，才能对付这个难题。

Formal

"绰绰有余"

— More than sufficient. Used to say someone can handle a task easily.

这点工作，他对付起来绰绰有余。

Neutral

"措手不及"

— To be caught off guard; the opposite of being ready to 对付.

突发事件让我们措手不及，根本没法对付。

Formal

"等闲视之"

— To treat lightly. Warning someone not to '对付' (deal with perfunctorily) a serious matter.

这个问题不能等闲视之，不能随便对付。

Literary

"束手无策"

— To be at one's wit's end; unable to '对付' a situation.

面对这种困境，我们束手无策，完全没法对付。

Formal

Easily Confused

对付 vs 应付

Both mean 'to deal with' and 'to make do.'

应付 is more often negative (perfunctory), while 对付 is more often tactical or survival-oriented.

他应付老师 (He's faking it with the teacher) vs 他对付老师 (He's managing a difficult teacher).

对付 vs 应对

Similar sounds and meanings.

应对 is the formal 'response' to a situation, usually polite or official.

应对危机 (respond to a crisis) vs 对付危机 (fight/handle a crisis).

对付 vs 处理

Both translate to 'handle.'

处理 is neutral and task-oriented; 对付 is challenge-oriented.

处理邮件 (process emails) vs 对付难题 (deal with a tough problem).

对付 vs 解决

Both imply managing a problem.

解决 is the final solution; 对付 is the process of handling or getting by.

解决饥饿 (end hunger) vs 对付饥饿 (manage hunger for now).

对付 vs 收拾

Both can mean 'to handle someone.'

收拾 is aggressive and implies punishing or defeating; 对付 is broader and tactical.

收拾他 (beat him up/fix him) vs 对付他 (deal with him).

Sentence Patterns

用 [Method] 来对付 [Problem]

用这把伞来对付雨。

[Subject] 对付不了 [Object]

我对付不了他。

随便对付 [Duration/Meal]

随便对付一口饭。

[Person] 很难/好对付

那个记者很难对付。

对付着 + Verb

对付着穿吧。

[Action] 纯粹是在对付 [Person]

他这么做纯粹是在对付我。

对付起...来

他对付起难题来很有办法。

与 [Fate/Abstract] 对付

与贫困对付了一辈子。

Word Family

Nouns

对手 Opponent (literally 'opposite hand'). Related to the 'facing' aspect of 对付.

Verbs

对付 To deal with; to make do.

应对 To respond/deal with formally.

对待 To treat (a person).

处理 (to handle)

应付 (to cope perfunctorily)

收拾 (to tidy/fix someone)

将就 (to make do)

凑合 (to scrape by)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Using 对付 for treating a disease (medically). → 使用治疗 (zhìliáo).
You can '对付' symptoms (like a cold), but the medical process is '治疗'.
Using 对付 for treating someone well/badly. → 使用对待 (duìdài).
If a person treats you with kindness, use '对待'. '对付' implies management or conflict.
Using 对付 for solving a math problem. → 使用解决 (jiějué) or 做 (zuò).
Unless the math problem is literally trying to kill you, you 'solve' it, not 'deal with' it like an opponent.
Pronouncing 'fu' with a strong 4th tone. → Neutral tone (duìfu).
A strong 4th tone sounds archaic or like a different word in many contexts.
Using 对付 when you mean 'to compare'. → 使用对比 (duìbǐ).
Just because they both start with '对' doesn't mean they are related to comparing.

Tips

The 'Swiss Army Knife' Verb

Remember that '对付' is for when life isn't perfect. Use it for the 'good enough' solutions.

Mind the Neutral Tone

Pronouncing 'fu' as a neutral tone makes you sound much more like a native speaker.

Office Survival

Use '对付' when talking to colleagues about difficult tasks; it shows you understand the struggle.

Potential Complements

Master '对付得了' and '对付不了'. They are the most common ways to express capacity.

Tactical Thinking

When playing sports or games, use '对付' to discuss how to counter your opponent.

Polite Modesty

If someone visits and you have little to offer, say '对付着吃点' to be a humble host.

Don't Overuse

Don't use '对付' for every 'deal with.' Use '处理' for boring tasks and '解决' for final solutions.

Pragmatism

Embrace the '对付' mindset: it's about being flexible and resilient.

Synonym Awareness

Learn '应付' alongside '对付' to understand the nuance of perfunctory effort.

Avoid Rudeness

Don't say you are '对付'-ing a person you respect unless you mean you are helping them manage a problem.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DUI' as 'Doing' something to someone 'FU' (who is a FOE). You are 'DUI-FU'-ing your foe.

Visual Association

Imagine someone holding a shield (对 - facing) and paying (付) a difficult person with a coin just to make them go away. You are 'dealing with' them.

Word Web

敌人 (Enemy) 困难 (Difficulty) 凑合 (Make do) 应对 (Respond) 处理 (Process) 应付 (Cope) 对手 (Opponent) 办法 (Method)

Challenge

Try to use '对付' in three different ways today: once for a person, once for a problem, and once for 'making do' with a simple meal.

Word Origin

The word '对付' originates from the combination of '对' (to face/opposite) and '付' (to pay/deliver). In early usage, it referred to 'matching' or 'paying back' in a literal sense. Over centuries, it evolved from financial or physical matching to the abstract concept of 'managing' or 'dealing with' a situation or person.

Original meaning: To match; to hand over to the opposite party.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful using '对付' when talking about a superior; it can imply you are trying to 'manage' or 'manipulate' them.

English speakers often use 'deal with' for everything. Encourage them to see the 'making do' side of 对付 which is closer to 'scrapping by.'

Used frequently in the classic novel 'The Scholars' (儒林外史) to describe social maneuvering. A common term in 'Legend of the Condor Heroes' (射雕英雄传) for countering martial arts moves. Often appears in modern 'C-Dramas' when characters plot against rivals.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conflict/Strategy

对付敌人
对付对手
想办法对付
对付攻击

Daily Survival

对付着吃
对付着穿
对付生活
对付过去

Professional/Work

对付客户
对付差事
对付局面
对付危机

Problem Solving

对付难题
对付故障
对付突发状况
对付耐药性

Interpersonal

难对付
好对付
对付孩子
别对付我

Conversation Starters

"你觉得那个新来的经理好对付吗？ (Do you think the new manager is easy to deal with?)"

"面对这么大的压力，你打算怎么对付？ (How do you plan to cope with such great pressure?)"

"如果冰箱里没菜了，你通常怎么对付一顿饭？ (If there's no food in the fridge, how do you usually make do for a meal?)"

"你有没有什么好办法对付夏天的蚊子？ (Do you have any good ways to deal with mosquitoes in the summer?)"

"面对那些不讲理的人，你通常会怎么对付？ (How do you usually deal with unreasonable people?)"

Journal Prompts

记录一次你成功对付了一个非常困难的挑战的经历。 (Record an experience where you successfully dealt with a very difficult challenge.)

如果你必须在只有很少钱的情况下对付一个月，你会怎么做？ (If you had to make do for a month with very little money, what would you do?)

谈谈你对‘对付差事’这种工作态度的看法。 (Discuss your views on the work attitude of 'just going through the motions.')

描述一个你认为很难对付的人，并解释原因。 (Describe a person you think is hard to deal with and explain why.)

在你的生活中，你更倾向于‘解决’问题还是‘对付’问题？ (In your life, do you tend to 'solve' problems or 'cope' with them?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily. While it often involves difficulty or 'making do,' it can also be a neutral description of handling a task. However, when describing one's work attitude (对付差事), it is definitely negative.

Rarely. You wouldn't '对付' a delicious meal or a fun party. It is reserved for things that require effort, resistance, or compromise.

Both mean 'to make do.' '将就' (jiāngjiu) is purely about accepting something sub-optimal. '对付' is broader, including the act of actively dealing with an opponent.

It is universal, but the neutral-tone pronunciation and the 'making do' usage are particularly prominent in Northern dialects (Beijing, etc.).

No, it is strictly a verb, though it can form part of an adjectival phrase like '难对付的'.

You can say '我对付不了这个' or '我应付不来'.

It is acceptable in spoken business Chinese, but in a formal written report, '应对' or '处理' would be better.

Only if you are joking or if they are being particularly difficult! Using it seriously might imply you see them as an adversary.

It means to eat something very simple and quick, like a bowl of instant noodles, just to satisfy hunger.

Etymologically yes, as 'paying' is a way of 'settling' or 'matching' a debt, which evolved into 'settling' or 'handling' a situation.