附和

• Pinyin: fù hè
• Hanzi breakdown: 附 = 阜 + 付 (attach, follow); 和 = 禾 + 口 (harmonise, agree)

Meaning

To echo; to chime in with; to go along with what someone else says, often without independent thought.

Carries a slightly negative connotation of uncritical or sycophantic agreement. 随声附和 (echo others mindlessly) is a set phrase criticising lack of independent thinking. Contrasts with 独立思考 (independent thinking). Used in debates, political commentary, and interpersonal criticism.

Examples

1. 他在会议上从不表达自己的见解，只是一味地附和上级的意见。 He never expresses his own views in meetings and only parrots his superiors’ opinions.
2. 面对错误的结论，几位专家选择了沉默或附和，没有一人提出异议。 Faced with an incorrect conclusion, several experts chose silence or went along with it, and not a single person raised an objection.
3. 舆论场中往往存在一种从众心理，人们倾向于附和多数人的声音。 In the arena of public opinion, a herd mentality often exists, and people tend to echo the majority voice.

Usage Guide

Context: social critique, debate, workplace

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 独立思考的人不会随便附和他人，而是会认真核实信息后再发表意见。(A person who thinks independently does not casually echo others but verifies information carefully before voicing a view.)
• 他的发言只是在附和主席的立场，并未提供任何新的论据。(His remarks merely echoed the chairman's position without offering any new arguments.)

Don't Say

• 附和朋友去吃饭 — use 陪 or 一起 when going along with someone physically; 附和 refers specifically to echoing words or opinions

Origin & History

附 (attach/follow) + 和 (harmonise/agree)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal