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B2 verb 7 min read

打发

dafa

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 打发 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 打发 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn words for 'spending time' like '玩' (play) or '看' (watch). '打发' (dǎfa) might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it in its simplest form: '打发时间' (dǎfa shíjiān), which means 'to pass time.' Imagine you are waiting for a bus and you look at your phone. You are '打发时间.' In A1, we focus on the idea that when you have nothing to do, you find something small to do. It is not 'working' or 'studying' seriously; it is just 'filling the gap.' You can think of it as 'killing time.' Even though you are a beginner, knowing this phrase will make you sound much more like a native speaker when you talk about your hobbies or what you do when you are bored. Remember: '打发' (dǎfa) + '时间' (shíjiān) is the magic combination for you at this stage.

For A2 learners, '打发' starts to show its variety. Besides 'passing time,' you might see it used when someone 'sends' another person to do a small job. For example, '妈妈打发我去买菜' (Mom sent me to buy vegetables). Here, '打发' is like 'send,' but it's very casual. It's usually a parent sending a child or a boss sending a worker for a quick errand. You should also start to notice the 'Resultative' structure. In A2, we learn that verbs often need a 'result.' So, if you want to say 'send someone away,' you say '打发走' (dǎfa zǒu). The '走' (zǒu) means 'away' or 'gone.' So '把客人打发走' means to successfully send the guest away. At this level, focus on these two uses: passing time when you're bored and sending someone on a small errand.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the '把' (bǎ) construction using '打发.' This is the most natural way to use the word when dealing with people. For example, '他想办法把讨债的人打发走了' (He found a way to send the debt collectors away). Notice how '打发' here implies a bit of cleverness or a desire to get rid of someone. It’s not just 'sending'; it’s 'dealing with' someone so they leave. You will also encounter '打发' in the context of modern hobbies, specifically baking. If you follow a Chinese recipe, you will see '打发奶油' (dǎfa nǎiyóu) for 'whipping cream.' This is a specific technical term. At B1, you are moving from simple errands to more nuanced social interactions and specific hobby-related vocabulary. You should also be able to distinguish '打发时间' from '花时间' (spending time on a goal).

At the B2 level, '打发' (dǎfa) is a word you should use to add flavor and nuance to your speech. You understand that '打发' often carries a slightly dismissive or negative tone when used with people. If you say '他随便给了点钱，就把那个乞丐打发了' (He gave a little money and just brushed the beggar off), you are showing that the person didn't really care; they just wanted the problem to go away. This 'dismissive' nuance is key for B2 proficiency. You should also be able to use it in more complex sentences involving time, such as '在那个偏僻的小镇，他只能靠读书来打发寂寞的时光' (In that remote town, he could only rely on reading to pass the lonely hours). At this level, '打发' is not just a verb; it's a tool for describing social dynamics and emotional states like boredom or loneliness.

For C1 learners, '打发' (dǎfa) is explored in its literary and metaphorical depths. You might encounter it in classic 20th-century literature (like the works of Lu Xun or Lao She) where it describes the way people in different social classes interact. In these contexts, '打发' can highlight the power imbalance between a master and a servant. You should also be aware of its usage in various dialects and how it can sometimes mean 'to marry off a daughter' in older, traditional contexts (though this is rare now). At C1, you should be able to use '打发' in sophisticated arguments about modern life—for example, discussing how 'short video apps' are designed specifically to help people '打发' fragmented time, potentially leading to a 'fragmented' consciousness. You are no longer just using the word; you are analyzing its impact on culture and psychology.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '打发' (dǎfa) is complete and instinctive. You understand all its historical baggage, its modern technical applications in baking, and its subtle social cues. You can use it ironically or sarcastically. For instance, in a high-level business negotiation, you might say, '你这是在打发叫花子吗？' (Are you treating me like a beggar? / Is this a pittance?) to express that an offer is insultingly low. You also recognize the word's role in the 'aesthetic of boredom,' where '打发' becomes a philosophical act of coping with existence. You can fluidly switch between its meanings without hesitation, using it to describe everything from the physical whisking of a meringue to the psychological dismissal of an unwanted thought. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, characterized by perfect placement and appropriate register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

打发 in 30 Seconds

Used to describe passing time when bored or waiting for something.
Used to send someone away, often in a dismissive or quick manner.
Used as a technical term in baking for whisking cream or eggs.
Can imply handling a minor task or getting rid of a nuisance.

The Chinese verb 打发 (dǎfa) is a versatile and essential term that every intermediate learner must master. At its core, it carries the sense of 'dispatching' or 'sending,' but its usage has branched into several distinct functional areas in modern Mandarin. Understanding 打发 requires looking at it through three primary lenses: managing time, managing people, and managing culinary ingredients.

Temporal Management: This is perhaps the most frequent use of the word. When you have 'dead time'—waiting for a flight, sitting in a doctor's office, or having a boring afternoon—you use 打发时间 (dǎfa shíjiān) to describe how you kill or pass that time. It implies a sense of filling a void, often with activities that aren't necessarily productive but serve to make the time go by faster.

下雨天，我躲在咖啡馆里看小说来打发漫长的午后。

Translation: On a rainy day, I hide in a cafe reading a novel to pass the long afternoon.

Interpersonal Dismissal: In a social or professional context, 打发 means to send someone away or to get rid of them, often because they are bothersome or their presence is no longer required. It can range from a neutral 'dispatching a servant' in historical dramas to a modern 'brushing off' of an annoying salesperson. The nuance often suggests that the person being 'dispatched' is being dealt with quickly so the speaker can return to other matters.

他随便找了个借口，把那个推销员打发走了。

Translation: He made up a random excuse to send the salesman away.

Culinary Whisking: A modern, highly specific usage is found in baking. To 'whisk' or 'whip' cream or egg whites is called 打发奶油 (dǎfa nǎiyóu) or 打发蛋白 (dǎfa dànbái). This usage likely stems from the physical action of 'striking' (打) to 'emit' or 'develop' (发) volume in the substance.

Whether you are killing time at a bus stop, sending an unwanted visitor on their way, or making a fluffy cake, 打发 is the lexical tool you need. It bridges the gap between physical action and abstract time management, making it a powerful addition to your Chinese vocabulary. By mastering this word, you transition from basic 'spending time' (花时间) to a more nuanced description of how you handle life's various interruptions and lulls.

The grammatical structure of 打发 (dǎfa) varies depending on which of its meanings you are employing. It is a transitive verb, meaning it almost always takes a direct object. However, the nature of that object and the resultative complements that follow it are key to sounding natural.

Pattern 1: Time as the Object: Structure: [Subject] + [Method] + 打发 + [Time]. This is used when you want to say how you passed a certain duration. Method can be an activity like 'reading' or 'playing games'.

在漫长的火车旅途中，我靠听音乐来打发时间。

Pattern 2: Person as the Object with Resultative: Structure: [Subject] + 把 + [Person] + 打发 + 走/掉. The '把' construction is extremely common here because it emphasizes the action performed on the person to change their state (from being present to being gone).

老板简单说了几句，就把那几个记者打发走了。

Pattern 3: Sending Someone to do Something: Structure: 打发 + [Person] + [Verb Phrase]. This is slightly more formal or literary, often found in storytelling where a master sends a servant on an errand.

母亲打发我去超市买点盐。

Pay attention to the emotional tone. When you 打发 time, it’s often because you have nothing better to do. When you 打发 a person, it often implies they were an interruption. When you 打发 cream, it’s a technical process. Mastering these three distinct structures will ensure you never use the word out of context.

The word 打发 (dǎfa) is ubiquitous in Chinese daily life, appearing in social settings, literature, and modern media. Understanding its environmental context helps in grasping its subtle connotations.

Social and Casual Settings: You will hear friends asking each other, '你怎么打发周末？' (How are you passing your weekend?). It’s a very common way to discuss leisure time that doesn't have a specific, high-stakes goal. It suggests a relaxed, perhaps even slightly aimless, approach to time.

“没啥事，就刷刷抖音打发时间。”

Translation: "Not much, just scrolling through TikTok to kill time."

Workplace and Formal Scenarios: In an office, if a manager wants to avoid a persistent salesperson or a minor issue, they might say to an assistant, '你去把他打发了' (You go and deal with him/send him away). Here, it carries a nuance of 'handling someone so they don't bother me anymore.'

The Kitchen (Baking Culture): With the rise of home baking in China, '打发' has become a staple in cooking videos on platforms like Bilibili or Xiaohongshu. You'll hear instructions like '将黄油打发至羽毛状' (whisk the butter until it looks like feathers).

记得要把淡奶油打发到能拉出尖角。

Translation: Remember to whisk the light cream until it can form peaks.

In summary, listen for 打发 when people are bored, when they are busy and being bothered, or when they are in the kitchen. Its appearance in these three vastly different domains makes it a colorful and dynamic part of the living language.

While 打发 (dǎfa) is common, it is frequently misused by learners who confuse it with other verbs related to 'spending' or 'sending.' Here are the most critical pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake 1: Confusing '打发' with '花' (huā): Learners often think 打发 and 花 are interchangeable for 'spending' time. They are not. 花时间 is neutral and simply refers to the duration an activity takes (e.g., 'I spent two hours on homework'). 打发时间 implies the time was an obstacle to be overcome or filled because of boredom.

Incorrect: 我打发了三个小时做作业。
Correct: 我花了三个小时做作业。

Mistake 2: Using '打发' for formal 'Sending': If you are sending a formal email or dispatching a professional team, do not use 打发. Use 派遣 (pàiqiǎn) or 发送 (fāsòng). Using 打发 in a professional context can sound like you are trying to get rid of the person or that they are your low-level servant.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the Resultative '走': When you mean 'to get rid of someone,' simply saying '我打发了他' can sound incomplete. Adding '走' (zǒu - away) makes the result clear and the sentence sound more natural to native ears: '我把他打发走了'.

Incorrect: 经理打发了那个客人。
Correct: 经理把那个客人打发走了。

By avoiding these common errors, you will use 打发 with the precision of a native speaker, ensuring your tone matches your intent—whether you're killing time, baking a soufflé, or politely dismissing a solicitor.

To truly master 打发 (dǎfa), you must see how it compares to its synonyms. Chinese is rich with verbs for 'sending' and 'spending,' each with its own flavor.

打发 vs. 消磨 (xiāomó): Both mean 'to pass time,' but 消磨 is more literary and often implies a slow 'wearing away' of time or spirit. It’s often used in phrases like 消磨意志 (to wear down one's will). 打发 is much more colloquial and everyday.

打发 vs. 派遣 (pàiqiǎn): Both involve sending people. 派遣 is formal, official, and usually involves a mission or a task (e.g., sending troops or experts). 打发 is informal and often implies a desire to be done with the person.

Comparison:
1. 政府派遣了医疗队。(Formal/Official)
2. 他打发孩子去买报纸。(Informal/Everyday)

打发 vs. 辞退 (cítuì): In the context of 'dismissing' someone, 辞退 specifically means to fire an employee. 打发 is more general; you can 打发 a beggar or a guest, but you wouldn't 辞退 them unless they worked for you.

Choosing the right word depends on the 'weight' of the action. 打发 is 'light'—it’s about managing the small, everyday gaps and social frictions of life. By contrasting it with these alternatives, you can see its unique position as a word of convenience and casual interaction.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The use of '打发' for whipping cream is a modern borrowing of the concept of 'beating' (打) until it 'develops/rises' (发).

Pronunciation Guide

UK dǎ fa

US dǎ fa

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'dǎ'.

Rhymes With

喇嘛 (lǎma) 大厦 (dàshà) 密码 (mìmǎ) 疙瘩 (gēda) 嘴巴 (zuǐba) 尾巴 (yǐba) 泥巴 (níba) 傻瓜 (shǎguā)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fa' with a strong first tone when it should be neutral.
Confusing the third tone of 'dǎ' with a second tone.
Aspirating the 'd' sound too much (it should sound more like a 't' in some accents, but unaspirated).
Confusing 'fa' (发) with 'fang' (放).
Over-emphasizing the second syllable in casual conversation.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of '把' construction and resultatives.

Speaking 4/5

Nuance of tone is important to avoid sounding rude.

Listening 3/5

Commonly heard in daily life.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

打发时间走去

Learn Next

消磨派遣支使搅拌虚度

Advanced

遣散打发叫花子干性发泡湿性发泡

Grammar to Know

The '把' Construction

把他打发走。

Resultative Complements

打发走, 打发掉。

Neutral Tone in Disyllabic Words

The 'fa' in 'dǎfa' is often neutral.

Verbs of Sending/Dispatching

打发 vs 派遣.

Directional Complements

打发回去。

Examples by Level

我玩手机打发时间。

I play on my phone to pass time.

Subject + Action + 打发时间.

他在等车，他在打发时间。

He is waiting for the bus, he is passing time.

Present continuous context.

我们打发时间吧。

Let's pass the time.

Using 吧 for suggestion.

看书可以打发时间。

Reading books can pass time.

Verb phrase as subject.

你怎么打发时间？

How do you pass time?

Question with 怎么.

我不喜欢打发时间。

I don't like just passing time.

Negative sentence with 不.

听音乐打发时间很好。

Listening to music is good for passing time.

Adjective 很好 as a comment.

他在打发无聊的时间。

He is passing boring time.

Adding an adjective before 时间.

妈妈打发我去买报纸。

Mom sent me to buy a newspaper.

Person A + 打发 + Person B + Action.

老师打发学生回家了。

The teacher sent the students home.

Use of 了 for completed action.

我想打发他走。

I want to send him away.

Using 走 as a resultative complement.

请把他打发走。

Please send him away.

Imperative with 请.

我用游戏打发了一个下午。

I used games to pass an afternoon.

Using 用 (with) to specify the method.

他被打发到了外地工作。

He was sent to work in another city.

Passive voice with 被.

他随便打发了那个孩子。

He casually sent that child away.

Adverb 随便 (casually).

我们去打发一下时间吧。

Let's go pass some time.

Using 一下 for a brief action.

他把那个推销员打发走了。

He sent that salesman away.

Standard 把 construction.

你需要打发黄油直到变白。

You need to whisk the butter until it turns white.

Culinary usage.

他靠写日记来打发寂寞。

He relies on writing a diary to pass the loneliness.

靠...来 (rely on... to).

经理打发秘书去办这件事。

The manager dispatched the secretary to handle this.

Professional errand context.

别想用这点钱打发我。

Don't think you can brush me off with this small amount of money.

Negative imperative with 别.

奶油打发得太久会油水分离。

If you whisk cream for too long, it will separate.

Potential/Resultative complement with 得.

他只是在打发日子，没有目标。

He is just passing the days, he has no goals.

打发日子 (passing days) as an idiom for lack of purpose.

把这些旧衣服打发掉吧。

Let's get rid of these old clothes.

Using 掉 to mean 'get rid of/finish off'.

他用一些客套话把记者打发了。

He brushed off the reporters with some pleasantries.

Using nouns like 客套话 (pleasantries).

这种枯燥的工作只能用来打发时间。

This kind of dull work can only be used to pass time.

只能用来 (can only be used for).

她熟练地打发着蛋白，准备做蛋糕。

She skillfully whisked the egg whites, preparing to make a cake.

Using 着 for continuous action.

他觉得自己的一生都在被打发中度过。

He felt his whole life was spent being pushed around/sent away.

Complex passive structure.

老板打发他去处理那个棘手的投诉。

The boss sent him to handle that thorny complaint.

Adjective 棘手 (thorny/difficult).

不要试图打发你的责任。

Do not try to dismiss your responsibilities.

Abstract usage of 'dismissing' responsibility.

他被打发到一个没人认识的小岛上。

He was sent away to a small island where no one knew him.

Location complement.

如果你感到无聊，就找点事打发一下。

If you feel bored, find something to pass the time.

Conditional 'if... then' structure.

在旧社会，地主经常打发家丁去收租。

In the old society, landlords often sent servants to collect rent.

Historical/Literary context.

这种廉价的娱乐不过是打发空虚的手段。

This kind of cheap entertainment is nothing but a means to pass the emptiness.

Sophisticated noun 空虚 (emptiness).

他巧妙地打发了那些试图打探消息的人。

He skillfully brushed off those who tried to fish for information.

Adverb 巧妙地 (skillfully).

蛋白打发至干性发泡是成功的关键。

Whisking egg whites to stiff peaks is the key to success.

Technical baking terminology.

他打发走了所有的随从，想一个人静静。

He sent away all his attendants, wanting to be alone in peace.

Resultative 走 with object 随从.

不要用这些琐碎的借口来打发我。

Don't try to brush me off with these trivial excuses.

Adjective 琐碎 (trivial).

这篇文章只是他用来打发寂寞的随笔。

This article is just an essay he used to pass his loneliness.

Noun 随笔 (informal essay).

他被命运打发到了这个荒凉的地方。

He was sent to this desolate place by fate.

Metaphorical use of 'fate' as subject.

他那副拒人于千里之外的态度，足以打发任何追求者。

His cold, standoffish attitude was enough to brush off any suitor.

Using Chengyu 拒人于千里之外.

你这点微薄的薪水，是想打发叫花子吗？

With this meager salary, are you trying to treat me like a beggar?

Idiomatic/Sarcastic use.

他的一生似乎就在这无尽的打发与被打发中消解了。

His life seemed to dissolve in this endless cycle of dismissing and being dismissed.

Philosophical/Abstract structure.

打发奶油时的频率控制，决定了蛋糕的细腻程度。

The frequency control when whisking cream determines the fineness of the cake.

Highly technical culinary context.

他轻描淡写地几句话，就把一场潜在的危机打发了。

With a few understated words, he dismissed a potential crisis.

Using Chengyu 轻描淡写.

在禅宗看来，任何刻意打发时间的行为都是对当下的逃避。

From a Zen perspective, any intentional act of 'passing time' is an escape from the present.

Philosophical discourse.

他被打发去守边疆，从此再未踏入京城一步。

He was dispatched to guard the frontier and never stepped into the capital again.

Historical narrative.

这种打发式的处理方式，只会让问题积压得越来越严重。

This dismissive way of handling things will only cause problems to pile up.

Using 打发式 as an adjective.

Common Collocations

打发时间

打发日子

打发走

打发奶油

打发蛋白

随便打发

打发人

打发寂寞

被打发

难以打发

Common Phrases

打发叫花子

— To give a pittance; to treat someone dismissively with a small amount.

这点奖金是打发叫花子吗？

打发掉

— To get rid of something or someone completely.

把这些旧报纸打发掉。

好打发

— Easy to please or easy to pass (of time).

他这个人很好打发，吃什么都行。

难打发

— Difficult to please or hard to get rid of.

这位客人真难打发。

打发无聊

— To pass the boredom.

找点乐子打发无聊。

打发光阴

— A more literary way to say 'pass time'.

白白打发光阴。

打发走人

— To dismiss someone (often an employee).

他被老板打发走人了。

打发奶油霜

— To whisk buttercream.

打发奶油霜用来装饰蛋糕。

打发小孩

— To keep a child occupied or send them away.

拿个玩具去打发小孩。

打发佣人

— To send a servant on a task (archaic/literary).

他打发佣人去送信。

Often Confused With

打发 vs 花 (huā)

Huā is neutral 'spending' (time/money); dǎfa is 'killing' time due to boredom.

打发 vs 派遣 (pàiqiǎn)

Pàiqiǎn is formal/official dispatch; dǎfa is casual/dismissive.

打发 vs 送 (sòng)

Sòng is 'to deliver' or 'to gift'; dǎfa is 'to send away' or 'to dispatch on a task'.

Idioms & Expressions

"打发时间"

— To kill time; to pass time when there's nothing specific to do.

我们在火车站玩牌打发时间。

Neutral

"打发日子"

— To live aimlessly; to just get through each day.

他退休后就在家里打发日子。

Neutral

"打发走"

— To send someone away, often because they are unwanted.

好不容易才把他打发走。

Neutral

"打发掉"

— To dispose of or settle something quickly.

他三两下就把工作打发掉了。

Informal

"打发人"

— To send someone as a messenger or helper.

我打发人去接你。

Neutral

"打发寂寞"

— To alleviate loneliness through some activity.

养猫是为了打发寂寞。

Neutral

"随便打发"

— To do something perfunctorily or treat someone casually.

晚餐就随便打发了一下。

Informal

"打发走心"

— To dismiss someone while being mindful (rare/modern slang).

我们要有礼貌地打发走心。

Slang

"打发光阴"

— To pass time (literary).

莫要虚度光阴，随便打发。

Literary

"打发情绪"

— To manage or 'pass' an emotion (modern usage).

他在运动中打发负面情绪。

Neutral

Easily Confused

打发 vs 消磨

Both mean passing time.

消磨 is more literary and implies a slow, wearing process.

消磨时光 vs 打发时间

打发 vs 支使

Both involve sending people.

支使 implies ordering someone around, often annoyingly.

他总支使我干活。

打发 vs 赶走

Both involve making someone leave.

赶走 is more aggressive/physical (drive away); 打发 is more about 'dealing with' and sending away.

把苍蝇赶走 vs 把客人打发走

打发 vs 搅拌

Both are used in the kitchen.

搅拌 is just mixing; 打发 is specifically whisking to add air/volume.

搅拌面粉 vs 打发奶油

打发 vs 度过

Both involve time.

度过 is neutral 'living through' a period; 打发 is 'filling' a gap.

度过余生 vs 打发下午

Sentence Patterns

Subject + [Action] + 打发时间

我听音乐打发时间。

Subject + 打发 + Person + 去 + Verb

老师打发我去办公室。

Subject + 把 + Person + 打发走

他把那个推销员打发走了。

Subject + 把 + 奶油/蛋白 + 打发

妈妈把奶油打发了。

Subject + 靠...来打发 + Time/Emotion

他靠画画来打发寂寞。

Subject + 打发 + Person + Resultative

他巧妙地打发掉了对手。

Subject + 被打发到 + Place

他被打发到了偏远地区。

Idiomatic usage: 打发叫花子

这点钱，你打发叫花子呢？

Word Family

Verbs

打发

打

发

派遣

打发掉

Adjectives

好打发的

难打发的

时间

奶油

派遣

消磨

发送

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily speech and baking.

Common Mistakes

我打发了两个小时学习。 → 我花了两个小时学习。
You don't 'kill' time when doing something productive like studying; you 'spend' (花) it.
他打发我一个礼物。 → 他送了我一个礼物。
You cannot '打发' a gift. Use '送' (sòng) for giving gifts.
经理打发那个员工。 → 经理把那个员工打发走了。
Without '走' (zǒu), the sentence feels incomplete and lacks the result of the action.
我打发邮件给你。 → 我发邮件给你。
For digital messages, just use '发' (fā) or '发送' (fāsòng). '打发' is for people or time.
这种奶油不能打发。 → 这种奶油打发不起来。
When talking about the inability to whisk something successfully, the potential complement '不起来' is needed.

Tips

Use '把' with People

When you want to say you sent someone away, the structure '把 + Person + 打发走' is much more natural than '打发 + Person'.

Modern Baking

If you love baking, remember '打发' (whisking). It's used for cream, egg whites, and even butter.

Be Careful with Elders

Avoid saying you '打发' an elder or a boss. It sounds like you are treating them like a servant or a nuisance.

The 'D-F' Rule

Think of 'D' for Dispatch and 'F' for Finish. You are dispatching a person or finishing off time.

Tone Matters

The third tone on '打' (dǎ) should be clear, followed by a light, quick 'fa'.

Boredom Indicator

Using '打发时间' immediately tells the listener that the activity you're doing isn't very important to you.

Resultative Complements

Always pair '打发' with resultatives like '走' (zǒu), '掉' (diào), or '回去' (huíqù) for clearer meaning.

Historical Dramas

Watch period dramas to hear '打发' used in its original sense of sending servants on errands.

CasualErrands

Use it for small tasks: '打发孩子去买醋' (Send the kid to buy vinegar).

vs. 花 (huā)

Remember: You '花' (spend) time on goals, you '打发' (kill) time when bored.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'hitting' (打) the 'start/send' button (发) to get rid of someone or to make time 'go' away.

Visual Association

Imagine a hand 'striking' a clock to make the hands spin faster (passing time) or a hand waving 'goodbye' to a person (sending them away).

Word Web

时间 (Time) 人 (People) 奶油 (Cream) 走 (Away) 掉 (Finish) 派遣 (Dispatch) 消磨 (Idle) 无聊 (Bored)

Challenge

Try to use '打发' in three different sentences today: one about your phone, one about a person, and one about food.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of '打' (dǎ), which originally meant 'to strike' but evolved into a generic verb for many actions, and '发' (fā), meaning 'to send out' or 'to emit.'

Original meaning: The original sense was likely the physical act of sending someone out or dispatching a messenger.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful using '打发' with people you respect; it can sound like you are dismissing them as unimportant.

Similar to 'killing time' or 'brushing someone off.'

Used frequently in 'Dream of the Red Chamber' for masters sending servants. Common in modern TV dramas for dismissing unwanted suitors. Baking influencers on Xiaohongshu use it constantly.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a train station

打发时间
看报纸打发时间
玩手机打发时间
时间真难打发

In a bakery

打发奶油
打发蛋白
打发至硬性发泡
电动打发器

At home with a guest

把他打发走
怎么打发他？
随便打发一下
客气地打发

In a story/novel

打发佣人
打发孩子去...
被打发到边疆
打发寂寞

In a workplace

打发走客户
打发秘书去办事
别想打发我
随意打发

Conversation Starters

"如果你在机场滞留五个小时，你会怎么打发时间？"

"你觉得现在的年轻人是不是太依赖手机来打发时间了？"

"在做蛋糕的时候，你觉得打发蛋白最难的地方是什么？"

"如果你遇到一个推销员，你会怎么礼貌地把他打发走？"

"你有没有过那种觉得时间特别难打发的经历？"

Journal Prompts

描述一个你觉得时间很难打发的下午，你最后做了什么？

写一段对话，关于一个人如何试图打发走一个不速之客。

你认为‘打发时间’和‘享受生活’之间有什么区别？

分享一个你学习‘打发奶油’技巧的经历，结果成功了吗？

如果你的老板打发你去一个你不想去的地方，你会怎么反应？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '打发' is not used for spending money. For money, use '花' (huā). However, you can say '用钱打发他' meaning 'to give him money to get rid of him.'

It can be. When used to mean 'sending someone away,' it implies you are busy or they are a nuisance. Use '请' (qǐng) or more formal words like '送' (sòng) for guests you respect.

打发 is colloquial and common. 消磨 is poetic and literary, often used for long periods of time (years, spirit, will).

You say '打发到硬性发泡' (dǎfa dào yìngxìng fāpào).

Yes, if you are sending the dog away or giving it a bone to keep it occupied. '拿个骨头把狗打发了。'

In 'passing time' and 'sending people,' it's usually neutral (dǎfa). In baking ('whisking'), some people use the first tone (dǎfā), but neutral is still common.

Usually, we use '度过' (dùguò) for holidays. You only use '打发' if the holiday is boring and you are just trying to make the time go by.

It's a common idiom meaning to give someone an insultingly small amount of money or effort, as if they were a beggar.

In some older literature or dialects, '打发女儿' could mean to marry off a daughter, but this is very rare in modern Mandarin.

Yes, it is the closest equivalent to the English idiom 'kill time'.