凑合

• Pinyin: còu he
• Desglose de hanzi: 凑 = 冫+ 奏 (gather); 合 = 人 + 口 (fit together)

Significado

Apañarse; conformarse; aceptable (sin más).

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.

Ejemplos

1. 饭菜不太好吃，但饿了就凑合吃点吧。
2. 这双鞋不是我想要的颜色，但凑合能穿。
3. 他们俩感情一般，凑合过日子罢了。

Guía de uso

Contexto: everyday, casual, practical

Tono: resigned

Correcto

• 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.)

Incorrecto

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

Origen e historia

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

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal