yìngfu: 应付 - To deal with, to cope with, to handle perfunctorily

• Keywords: yìngfu, yingfu, 应付, Chinese word for “deal with”, Chinese word for “cope with”, meaning of yingfu, how to use yingfu, go through the motions in Chinese, perfunctory, 应付 vs 处理, 应付 vs 解决
• Summary: The Chinese word 应付 (yìngfu) is a versatile HSK 4 verb that means “to deal with” or “to cope with.” Understanding yìngfu is key to grasping a subtle but common aspect of Chinese culture and communication. Its meaning ranges from neutrally “handling” a task or situation (like an exam or a difficult client) to negatively “going through the motions” or “fobbing someone off” without genuine effort. This entry will break down how to use yìngfu correctly, explaining its dual connotations and comparing it to related terms like 处理 (chǔlǐ) and 解决 (jiějué).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yìngfu
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: To deal with a person or situation, often with the implication of doing just enough to meet the minimum requirement.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `应付` as the verb for “getting by.” It's about managing a demand placed upon you, whether that's a heavy workload, a difficult person, or a looming deadline. The core feeling of `应付` lies in the attitude. Sometimes it's a neutral, pragmatic strategy for survival (you have five exams, you just need to `应付` them all). Other times, it's a negative expression of disinterest or laziness, where you're just “phoning it in” to get someone off your back.

• 应 (yìng): This character means “to answer,” “to respond,” or “to consent.” Imagine someone calling out to you, and you `应` (respond). It's an action of acknowledgement.
• 付 (fù): This character means “to pay,” “to hand over,” or “to deliver.” It implies giving something, whether it's money, a document, or effort.
• The Combination: Together, `应付` literally means “to respond and to deliver/pay.” This combination perfectly captures the word's dual meaning. You can respond to a demand and genuinely deliver the required effort (to cope with). Or, you can give a minimal response just to “hand over” the task and be done with it (to be perfunctory).

`应付` reveals a deeply pragmatic aspect of Chinese culture, where managing obligations and energy is a constant balancing act. It's not always about laziness, but often about strategic resource allocation in a high-pressure, high-demand environment. Compare this to the common American/Western ideal of “giving 110%” or always “going above and beyond.” While this is also valued in China, there's a greater cultural understanding and acceptance of `应付` as a necessary survival tool. When faced with overwhelming social obligations, bureaucratic hurdles, or an impossible workload, the ability to `应付`—to do what's necessary without burning out—is seen as a practical skill. In its negative sense, `应付` taps into the importance of sincerity and “face” (面子, miànzi). If you `应付` someone, you are seen as insincere and disrespectful, causing them to lose face. Accusing someone of `应付`-ing is a serious criticism of their attitude and work ethic. Thus, the word sits at a fascinating intersection of pragmatism and the profound importance of genuine effort in relationships and work.

`应付` is extremely common in daily life. Its connotation depends entirely on the context and tone of voice.

• Neutral: Coping with Tasks and Situations
  • Used for managing work, studies, or any challenge. The focus is on getting through it.
  • Example: `应付考试` (yìngfu kǎoshì) - to cope with/handle an exam.
  • Example: `应付日常工作` (yìngfu rìcháng gōngzuò) - to handle daily work.
• Negative: Being Perfunctory or Fobbing Someone Off
  • This is the most common nuanced meaning. It implies a lack of sincerity, effort, or interest.
  • Example: `他只是在应付我。` (Tā zhǐshì zài yìngfu wǒ.) - He's just fobbing me off / not taking me seriously.
  • This usage is often combined with adverbs like `随便` (suíbiàn - casually) or results in the chengyu `应付了事` (yìngfu liǎoshì - to do something just to get it over with).
• Neutral/Formal: Meeting Financial Obligations
  • In business and accounting, `应付` is used to mean “to meet (expenses)” or “payable.”
  • Example: `公司需要现金来应付开支。` (Gōngsī xūyào xiànjīn lái yìngfu kāizhī.) - The company needs cash to meet its expenses.
  • The term `应付账款` (yìngfù zhàngkuǎn) is the official accounting term for “accounts payable.”

• Example 1:
  • 我今天太累了，不想应付任何人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān tài lèi le, bùxiǎng yìngfu rènhé rén.
  • English: I'm too tired today, I don't want to deal with anyone.
  • Analysis: Neutral. Here, `应付` means to cope with the social energy required for interaction. It's about personal capacity, not a negative judgment of other people.
• Example 2:
  • 你别用这种态度应付工作，老板会发现的。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bié yòng zhè zhǒng tàidù yìngfu gōngzuò, lǎobǎn huì fāxiàn de.
  • English: Don't use this kind of attitude to just go through the motions at work; the boss will find out.
  • Analysis: Negative. This is a direct criticism of someone's perfunctory approach. The word `态度` (tàidù - attitude) makes the negative connotation very clear.
• Example 3:
  • 为了应付明天的考试，他学习到了深夜。
  • Pinyin: Wèile yìngfu míngtiān de kǎoshì, tā xuéxí dàole shēnyè.
  • English: In order to cope with tomorrow's exam, he studied late into the night.
  • Analysis: Neutral. This usage simply means “to prepare for” or “to handle” the challenge of the exam. There is no negative sense here.
• Example 4:
  • 这个客户非常难应付，要求特别多。
  • Pinyin: Zhège kèhù fēicháng nán yìngfu, yāoqiú tèbié duō.
  • English: This client is very difficult to deal with; they have so many demands.
  • Analysis: Neutral. “Difficult to deal with” is a perfect translation. It describes the challenge posed by the client, not necessarily that you will handle them poorly.
• Example 5:
  • 他对自己的未来毫无计划，只是在应付一天算一天。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì zìjǐ de wèilái háo wú jìhuà, zhǐshì zài yìngfu yī tiān suàn yī tiān.
  • English: He has no plan for his future, just getting by one day at a time.
  • Analysis: Negative. This paints a picture of aimlessness and a lack of proactive effort, living life perfunctorily.
• Example 6:
  • 每次我问他项目进展，他都随便说几句应付我。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì wǒ wèn tā xiàngmù jìnzhǎn, tā dōu suíbiàn shuō jǐ jù yìngfu wǒ.
  • English: Every time I ask him about the project's progress, he just says a few casual words to fob me off.
  • Analysis: Clearly negative. The adverb `随便` (suíbiàn - casually, carelessly) emphasizes the lack of sincerity and effort.
• Example 7:
  • 这点钱足够应付我们这个月的开销了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè diǎn qián zúgòu yìngfu wǒmen zhège yuè de kāixiāo le.
  • English: This bit of money is enough to cover our expenses for this month.
  • Analysis: Neutral and slightly formal. `应付` here means “to meet” or “to cover” financial needs.
• Example 8:
  • 他的解释听起来像是在应付了事。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jiěshì tīng qǐlái xiàngshì zài yìngfu liǎoshì.
  • English: His explanation sounded like he was just trying to get it over with.
  • Analysis: Negative. Uses the common idiom `应付了事` (yìngfu liǎoshì), which explicitly means to do something perfunctorily just to consider the matter closed.
• Example 9:
  • 面对突发情况，他表现得很冷静，应付得很好。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì túfā qíngkuàng, tā biǎoxiàn de hěn lěngjìng, yìngfu de hěn hǎo.
  • English: Facing the sudden situation, he was very calm and handled it well.
  • Analysis: Positive. This is a rare case where `应付` can be positive. By adding a positive evaluation like `得很好` (de hěn hǎo - very well), you specify that the “coping” was successful and effective.
• Example 10:
  • 这件旧大衣还能应付一个冬天。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn jiù dàyī hái néng yìngfu yí ge dōngtiān.
  • English: This old coat can still make do for one more winter.
  • Analysis: Neutral. Here, `应付` means “to make do” or “to be sufficient for a purpose.” It implies adequacy, not necessarily high quality.

• `应付` vs. `处理 (chǔlǐ)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `处理 (chǔlǐ)` means “to process” or “to handle” with the intention of completing or organizing something properly. It's about taking concrete action. You `处理` paperwork.
  • `应付 (yìngfu)` is about managing the pressure of a task, which might or might not involve solving it. You `处理` a customer complaint to resolve it. You `应付` a complaining customer to make them go away.
• `应付` vs. `解决 (jiějué)`:
  • `解决 (jiějué)` means “to solve” a problem. It focuses on the final, definitive result. It's about finding the answer.
  • `应付 (yìngfu)` is about the process of dealing with the problem, which is often ongoing. You `解决` a math problem. You `应付` the stress of having a whole semester of math class.
• Mistake: Using `应付` for “to pay” in general.
  • Incorrect: 我去应付午饭。 (Wǒ qù yìngfu wǔfàn.)
  • Correct: 我去付午饭的钱。 (Wǒ qù fù wǔfàn de qián.)
  • Reason: `应付` is only used for paying in the sense of “meeting expenses” or in the fixed term “accounts payable” (`应付账款`). For daily transactions, you use `付钱 (fùqián)`, `买单 (mǎidān)`, or just `付 (fù)`.

• 处理 (chǔlǐ) - To handle, to process. More neutral and proactive than `应付`.
• 解决 (jiějué) - To solve, to resolve. Focuses on finding a final solution, whereas `应付` is about the process of coping.
• 对付 (duìfu) - To deal with, to counter. Often used for opponents, problems, or tricky people. It can have a more confrontational or strategic feeling than `应付`.
• 敷衍 (fūyǎn) - To be perfunctory, to do something half-heartedly. A strong synonym for the negative meaning of `应付`. `敷衍` is almost always negative and implies a deliberate lack of care.
• 马虎 (mǎhu) - Adjective meaning “careless” or “sloppy.” This describes the quality of work that results from an `应付` attitude.
• 面对 (miànduì) - To face, to confront. This is about acknowledging a reality or problem, which is the step before you decide how to `应付` or `处理` it.
• 应付了事 (yìngfu liǎoshì) - An idiom (chengyu) meaning “to get something over with” or “to go through the motions without care.” The quintessential negative `应付`.