凑合

• Pinyin: còu he
• Hanzi breakdown: 凑 (piece together / make enough) + 合 (fit) -> make do acceptably.

Meaning

To make do with something that is not ideal but acceptable. It can describe food, living conditions, plans, or relationships with varying tone.

凑合 can be practical and relaxed, or it can signal dissatisfaction. Learners should watch tone: 还凑合 is mild acceptance, while 别凑合 may warn against settling.

Examples

1. 冰箱只剩面条，今晚凑合吃吧。 There's only noodles left in the fridge, so let's make do with that tonight.
2. 这间房不大，但住两天还能凑合。 This room isn't big, but it's fine for living in for two days.
3. 工作可以磨合，感情别随便凑合。 Work can be worked through, but don't just make do when it comes to relationships.

Usage Guide

Context: food, housing, plans, relationships

Tone: pragmatic, resigned, sometimes cautionary

Do Say

• 冰箱只剩面条，今晚凑合吃吧。
• 还凑合 means it is okay enough.

Don't Say

• Avoid using 凑合 about people in a way that sounds devaluing.

Common Mistakes

• Translating it as combine; in daily speech it usually means make do.

Origin & History

Traditional colloquial word meaning to piece together enough to get by.

Cultural Context

Era: Everyday Mandarin

Generation: All generations

Social background: Common in daily life

Regional notes: Widely used across Mainland China.