====== yìngfu: 应付 - To deal with, to cope with, to handle perfunctorily ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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)**.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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).
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
`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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
`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 Sentences =====
  * **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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`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)`.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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`.