The two characters `官司 (guānsi)` together form a noun that specifically means “lawsuit.” Adding `打 (dǎ)` in front turns it into the action: “to do a lawsuit.”
For an English speaker, understanding `打官司` requires more than just a direct translation; it requires a cultural one. In many Western cultures, particularly the United States, lawsuits are a relatively common and accepted method for resolving disputes. It can be a standard business practice or a personal tool for seeking justice. While never pleasant, it doesn't always carry a deep social stigma. In traditional Chinese culture, however, the situation is quite different. The concept of harmony (和, hé) is paramount. Society has historically been structured to avoid direct, public confrontation. Taking someone to court, or to `打官司`, is often viewed as a last, desperate resort. It signifies a complete breakdown of a relationship and a failure to resolve a problem through more culturally acceptable means like negotiation or mediation (`调解, tiáojiě`). Engaging in a lawsuit can lead to a loss of “face” (面子, miànzi) for everyone involved. It airs the “dirty laundry” in public and is seen as aggressive and disruptive to social harmony. For this reason, even when they have a strong case, people may be reluctant to sue, preferring to find a private solution to “give face” to the other party and preserve the relationship, if possible. While this is changing in modern China's business world, the underlying cultural hesitation remains a powerful force.
Despite the cultural preference for harmony, `打官司` is a very practical and increasingly common term in modern China. As the economy has developed, so has the legal system.
Connotation & Formality: The connotation is almost universally negative and serious. It implies stress, conflict, and significant trouble. You would not use it jokingly. The term itself is neutral in formality and is used in both everyday conversation and more formal written contexts.