凑合

• Pinyin: còu he
• Hanzi breakdown: 凑 = 冫+ 奏 (gather); 合 = 人 + 口 (fit together)

Meaning

To make do; to get by; passable. A verb meaning to manage with something less than ideal, or an adjective meaning just okay.

Implies settling for something adequate but not great. Can describe food, situations, relationships, or quality. Not negative — more like 'it'll do' or 'good enough.' Very common in casual speech.

Examples

1. 饭菜不太好吃，但饿了就凑合吃点吧。 The food isn't that great, but since you're hungry, just make do and eat something.
2. 这双鞋不是我想要的颜色，但凑合能穿。 These shoes aren't the color I wanted, but they're good enough to wear.
3. 他们俩感情一般，凑合过日子罢了。 The two of them don't have much affection for each other — they're just getting by in their life together.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, casual, practical

Tone: resigned

Do Say

• 这个凑合用吧，先别买新的。(Just make do with this one; don't buy a new one yet.)
• 你觉得怎么样？还凑合吧。(What do you think? It's passable.)

Don't Say

• 这顿米其林三星餐厅的饭凑合吃 (Mismatched register — 凑合 is for settling, not fine dining)

Origin & History

Compound of 凑 (to gather) + 合 (to fit, match). Together meaning to patch things together to make them work.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal