tōu gōng jiǎn liào: 偷工减料 - To cut corners, Skimp on work and materials

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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