打交道

• Pinyin: dǎ jiāo dao
• Hanzi breakdown: 打 = 扌+ 丁 (action verb); 交 = six strokes (to exchange); 道 = 辶 + 首 (way, path)

Meaning

To deal with; to have contact with; to interact. Describes the process of engaging or having dealings with people or entities.

Used for both positive relationships (networking, collaboration) and reluctant interactions (dealing with difficult people or bureaucracy). Implies ongoing or repeated contact rather than a one-time encounter.

Examples

1. 做销售这一行，天天得跟各种各样的人打交道。 Working in sales, you have to deal with all kinds of people every day.
2. 我不太会跟政府部门打交道，流程太复杂了。 I'm not very good at dealing with government departments — the procedures are too complicated.
3. 她从来没跟外国人打过交道，一开始有点紧张。 She had never interacted with foreigners before, so she was a bit nervous at first.

Usage Guide

Context: social, professional

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 你以后少跟那种人打交道。(You should have less dealings with that kind of person in the future.)
• 跟客户打交道需要耐心。(Dealing with clients requires patience.)

Don't Say

• 我打交道了他 (打交道 requires 跟 or 和 — say 跟他打交道, not 打交道他)

Origin & History

Compound expression where 打 serves as a versatile action verb and 交道 means dealings or contact. The phrase as a whole means to engage in dealings.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal