tōu gōng jiǎn liào: 偷工减料 - To cut corners, Skimp on work and materials [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== tōu gōng jiǎn liào: 偷工减料 - To cut corners, Skimp on work and materials ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** tougongjianliao, tōu gōng jiǎn liào, 偷工减料, cut corners in Chinese, skimp on work, shoddy workmanship, Chinese idiom for poor quality, Tofu-dreg project, 豆腐渣工程, product quality, construction safety.
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning of the essential Chinese idiom **偷工减料 (tōu gōng jiǎn liào)**, which directly translates to "cut corners" or "skimp on work and materials." This page explores its literal meaning, cultural significance in contexts like "tofu-dreg projects" (豆腐渣工程), and provides numerous practical examples of how to use this term to describe shoddy workmanship and unethical practices in modern China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tōu gōng jiǎn liào
  * **Part of Speech:** Chengyu (成语) / Idiom; often used as a verb phrase.
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Advanced)
  * **Concise Definition:** To deliberately cut corners during a task by doing less work and using inferior or fewer materials, usually to save time or money.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **偷工减料** is a four-character idiom that paints a vivid picture of dishonesty. It describes the act of secretly cheating in the production or construction process. Imagine a builder using cheaper, weaker concrete, or a chef using less meat in a dish than advertised. The action is always deliberate, deceptive, and results in a lower-quality, often unsafe, outcome. It carries a very strong negative connotation of irresponsibility and greed.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **偷 (tōu):** To steal; to do something stealthily or secretly. This character sets the tone of deception.
  * **工 (gōng):** Work, labor, craftsmanship, process.
  * **减 (jiǎn):** To reduce, decrease, subtract.
  * **料 (liào):** Materials, ingredients, resources.
These characters combine literally and powerfully: "To stealthily [reduce] work and reduce materials." The secret nature of **偷 (tōu)** is key—the perpetrator is trying to get away with something, making the act not just lazy, but fraudulent.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
**偷工减料** is a phrase that resonates deeply in modern Chinese society, often appearing in news reports and public discussions about consumer rights, infrastructure safety, and business ethics. It taps into a collective anxiety about quality and safety in a rapidly developing economy.
A crucial related concept is the infamous term **[[豆腐渣工程]] (dòufuzhā gōngchéng)**, or "Tofu-dreg project." Tofu dregs (the pulp left over from making tofu) are soft, crumbly, and useless, making it a perfect metaphor for a poorly constructed building or bridge that is the direct result of **偷工减料**. When a building collapses or a road cracks prematurely, the public will immediately condemn the builders for having **偷工减料**.
**Comparison with Western Concepts:**
While "to cut corners" is a close equivalent, **偷工减料** often carries a heavier weight of moral condemnation. "Cutting corners" in English can sometimes imply a clever, albeit risky, shortcut. In contrast, **偷工减料** is almost never used with any hint of admiration; it is a direct accusation of unethical and often dangerous behavior. It violates the respected cultural ideal of **[[工匠精神]] (gōngjiàng jīngshén)**, or the "spirit of the artisan/craftsman," which values precision, quality, and integrity.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
This idiom is used frequently in a variety of contexts, from serious news reporting to everyday complaints.
  * **Construction and Manufacturing:** This is the most common context. It's used to describe companies that use substandard steel, faulty wiring, or cheaper components to increase their profit margins.
  * **Service Industry:** It can be used to describe a restaurant that skimps on expensive ingredients or a cleaning service that does a superficial job.
  * **General Complaints:** You can use it more metaphorically to complain about any product or service where you feel cheated on the quality. For example, a software program full of bugs might be described as the result of developers who **偷工减料**.
The connotation is always negative and accusatory. It is a strong term to use when you believe a standard of quality has been deliberately ignored for selfish reasons.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 这座桥之所以会倒塌，就是因为施工队**偷工减料**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zuò qiáo zhī suǒyǐ huì dǎotā, jiùshì yīnwèi shīgōng duì **tōu gōng jiǎn liào**.
    * English: The reason this bridge collapsed is that the construction team cut corners on work and materials.
    * Analysis: A classic and serious example, directly linking the idiom to a disastrous consequence.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 你不能为了赶进度就**偷工减料**，质量是第一位的。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng wèile gǎn jìndù jiù **tōu gōng jiǎn liào**, zhìliàng