打发

• Pinyin: dǎ fa
• Hanzi breakdown: 打 = 扌(hand) + 丁 (nail); 发 = 癶 (legs walking) simplified form

Meaning

To send away; to dismiss; to while away time. Getting rid of someone or passing idle time.

Has two main uses: (1) to send someone away or dismiss them, often with some compensation or task (2) to pass time, usually when bored or waiting. The tone can range from casual to slightly dismissive depending on context.

Examples

1. 他随便给了那个乞丐几块钱就把他打发走了。 He casually gave the beggar a few coins and sent him away.
2. 周末没事做，她就看电视打发时间。 With nothing to do on the weekend, she watched TV to kill time.
3. 老板不想见他，让秘书把他打发了。 The boss didn't want to see him, so he had the secretary send him away.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, casual

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你怎么打发无聊的时间？(How do you pass the time when you're bored?)
• 别想用几句话就把我打发了。(Don't think you can dismiss me with just a few words.)

Don't Say

• 打发人有时带轻视意味，正式场合用'送走'或'安排离开'更好 (打发人 can sound dismissive — in formal settings, use 送走 or 安排离开 instead)

Origin & History

Originally meant to dispatch or send off, combining 打 (action marker) with 发 (to send out/dispatch).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal