Dazi: The Light Social Trend Among Young People
What is a "搭子"? It's not a close friend, but not a stranger either—just someone to eat, exercise, or study with. This HSK 5 reading explores China's "light social" trend: why it's popular, what people worry about, and why warmth still matters.
翻译 Translation
你听说过“搭子”吗？这是当代中国年轻人中非常流行的一个词。所谓“搭子”，就是根据共同的兴趣或需求，临时组成伙伴关系的人。比如，一起吃饭的叫“饭搭子”，一起健身的叫“健身搭子”，一起学习的叫“学习搭子”。这种关系不同于传统的朋友关系——不必深交，不必长期维护，只需在特定的场景里互相陪伴。
Have you heard of "dāzi"? This is a very popular word among contemporary young Chinese people. A so-called "dāzi" is a person with whom you temporarily form a partnership based on shared interests or needs. For example, someone you eat with is a "meal dāzi," someone you work out with is a "fitness dāzi," and someone you study with is a "study dāzi." This kind of relationship is different from traditional friendship—you don't need to be deeply acquainted, you don't need to maintain it long-term; you only need to keep each other company in specific settings.
“搭子”社交为什么突然这么火？主要有两个原因。首先，现代社会的节奏越来越快，年轻人工作忙，压力大，没有足够的精力去经营一段深厚的友谊。其次，很多年轻人害怕在亲密关系中受到伤害，而“搭子”关系清晰、简单，随时可以开始，也随时可以结束。因此，这种“轻社交”恰好满足了他们既想获得陪伴又不想承担太多情感负担的心理。
Why did "dāzi" socializing suddenly become so popular? There are mainly two reasons. First, the pace of modern society is getting faster and faster. Young people are busy with work and under great pressure, and they don't have enough energy to manage a deep friendship. Second, many young people are afraid of getting hurt in intimate relationships, while "dāzi" relationships are clear and simple—they can start at any time and end at any time. Therefore, this kind of "light socializing" exactly satisfies their psychology of wanting companionship without taking on too much emotional burden.
Unlock this content and all premium features with a membership. Get access to graded HSK lessons, reading materials, grammar breakdowns, online tests, and more!
Already a member? Sign in.
搭子
temporary companion; activity partner
noun
我找到了一个跑步搭子，我们每周一起跑三次。
I found a running partner, and we run together three times a week.
听说
to hear of; to hear about
verb
我听说那家新开的餐厅味道不错。
I heard that the newly opened restaurant tastes pretty good.
当代
contemporary; present age
noun/adjective
当代科技发展得非常快。
Contemporary technology is developing very fast.
年轻人
young people
noun
很多年轻人喜欢在周末去爬山。
Many young people like to go hiking on weekends.
流行
popular; to be in fashion
adjective/verb
这种颜色的衣服今年很流行。
This color of clothing is very popular this year.
所谓
so-called
adjective
所谓“成功”，每个人的理解都不一样。
The so-called "success" is understood differently by everyone.
共同
common; together
adjective/adverb
我们有共同的兴趣爱好。
We have common interests and hobbies.
兴趣
interest
noun
他对音乐很感兴趣。
He is very interested in music.
需求
need; demand
noun
这家公司根据客户的需求改进了产品。
This company improved its product according to customer needs.
临时
temporary; at the last moment
adjective/adverb
因为下雨，我们临时改变了计划。
Because it rained, we changed our plan at the last minute.
组成
to form; to make up
verb
这个小组由五个人组成。
This group is made up of five people.
伙伴
partner; companion
noun
他是我的好伙伴，我们经常一起学习。
He is my good partner; we often study together.
关系
relationship; relation
noun
他们之间的关系一直很好。
The relationship between them has always been very good.
传统
tradition; traditional
noun/adjective
春节是中国最重要的传统节日。
Spring Festival is China's most important traditional festival.
深交
to have a deep friendship; deep friendship
verb/noun
他们认识很多年了，但并没有深交。
They have known each other for many years but are not deeply acquainted.
长期
long term; long-term
noun/adjective
长期坚持运动对身体有好处。
Long-term exercise is good for your health.
维护
to maintain; to protect
verb
我们应该维护公共环境。
We should protect the public environment.
特定
specific; particular
adjective
在特定的情况下，这个办法才有效。
This method is only effective under specific circumstances.
场景
scene; setting
noun
这个电影里的场景让我想起了家乡。
The scene in this movie reminded me of my hometown.
陪伴
to accompany; companionship
verb/noun
家人的陪伴让我感到很温暖。
The companionship of family makes me feel very warm.
社交
socializing; social interaction
noun/verb
参加社交活动可以帮助你认识新朋友。
Participating in social activities can help you meet new friends.
突然
suddenly; sudden
adverb/adjective
天突然下起了大雨。
It suddenly started raining heavily.
火
popular; hot; to be popular
adjective/verb
这首歌最近特别火。
This song is especially popular recently.
原因
reason; cause
noun
他迟到的原因是他起晚了。
The reason he was late was that he got up late.
节奏
rhythm; pace
noun
大城市的生活节奏很快。
The pace of life in big cities is very fast.
压力
pressure; stress
noun
考试前，很多学生压力很大。
Before exams, many students are under great pressure.
足够
enough; sufficient
adjective/adverb
我们有足够的时间完成这个任务。
We have enough time to complete this task.
精力
energy; vigor
noun
他工作太忙，没有精力做别的。
He is too busy with work and has no energy to do anything else.
经营
to manage; to run; to cultivate
verb
经营一段友谊需要时间和耐心。
Cultivating a friendship requires time and patience.
深厚
deep; profound
adjective
他们之间有深厚的感情。
They have deep feelings for each other.
友谊
friendship
noun
真诚的友谊非常珍贵。
Sincere friendship is very precious.
亲密
close; intimate
adjective
她是我最亲密的朋友。
She is my closest friend.
伤害
to hurt; harm
verb/noun
语言有时也会伤害别人。
Words can sometimes hurt others.
清晰
clear; distinct
adjective
他的解释非常清晰。
His explanation is very clear.
简单
simple
adjective
这个问题很简单，我马上就能解决。
This problem is very simple; I can solve it right away.
随时
at any time
adverb
如果你有问题，随时可以问我。
If you have questions, you can ask me at any time.
结束
to end; to finish
verb
会议很快就结束了。
The meeting ended very quickly.
轻社交
light socializing
noun
“轻社交”是现在很多年轻人的选择。
"Light socializing" is the choice of many young people today.
恰好
exactly; just right
adverb
我到的时候，他恰好也到了。
When I arrived, he happened to arrive too.
满足
to satisfy; satisfied
verb/adjective
这家餐厅能满足不同客人的口味。
This restaurant can satisfy different customers' tastes.
获得
to obtain; to gain
verb
他通过努力获得了第一名。
He gained first place through hard work.
承担
to bear; to undertake
verb
每个人都要承担自己的责任。
Everyone must bear their own responsibilities.
情感
emotion; feeling
noun
这首诗表达了诗人对家乡的情感。
This poem expresses the poet's feelings toward his hometown.
负担
burden; to bear
noun/verb
我不想给父母增加负担。
I don't want to add burden to my parents.
心理
psychology; mentality
noun
保持健康的心理很重要。
Maintaining a healthy mentality is important.
引发
to trigger; to cause
verb
他的发言引发了热烈的讨论。
His speech triggered a heated discussion.
争议
controversy; dispute
noun
这个决定引起了很大的争议。
This decision caused a lot of controversy.
支持
to support; support
verb/noun
我支持你做出自己的选择。
I support you in making your own choice.
灵活
flexible; agile
adjective
他的工作时间很灵活。
His working hours are very flexible.
扩展
to expand; to extend
verb
读书可以扩展我们的视野。
Reading can expand our horizons.
丰富
to enrich; rich; abundant
verb/adjective
参加课外活动可以丰富你的生活。
Participating in extracurricular activities can enrich your life.
反对
to oppose; to object
verb
我反对这个不合理的计划。
I oppose this unreasonable plan.
担心
to worry; worried
verb/adjective
妈妈总是担心我的健康。
Mom always worries about my health.
过度
excessive; excessively
adjective/adverb
过度使用手机对眼睛不好。
Using mobile phones excessively is bad for your eyes.
依赖
to rely on; dependence
verb/noun
我们不能总是依赖别人。
We cannot always rely on others.
逐渐
gradually
adverb
天气逐渐变暖了。
The weather is gradually getting warmer.
建立
to build; to establish
verb
他们建立了一个新的公司。
They established a new company.
深度
depth; deep
noun/adjective
这篇文章很有深度。
This article has great depth.
能力
ability; capability
noun
他有能力解决这个问题。
He has the ability to solve this problem.
工具
tool
noun
手机是我们生活中常用的工具。
Mobile phones are a commonly used tool in our lives.
缺乏
to lack; lacking
verb/adjective
他缺乏工作经验。
He lacks work experience.
温度
temperature; warmth
noun
今天的气温温度很低。
Today's temperature is very low.
频繁
frequent; frequently
adjective/adverb
他频繁地更换工作。
He frequently changes jobs.
更换
to change; to replace
verb
这个灯泡坏了，需要更换。
This light bulb is broken and needs to be replaced.
缓解
to relieve; to ease
verb
运动可以缓解压力。
Exercise can relieve stress.
孤独感
loneliness
noun
长期一个人生活会让人产生孤独感。
Living alone for a long time can make people feel lonely.
事实
fact
noun
事实胜于雄辩。
Facts speak louder than words.
大多数
most; majority
noun/pronoun
大多数学生都喜欢这位老师。
Most students like this teacher.
视为
to regard as; to view as
verb
他把这本书视为珍宝。
He regards this book as a treasure.
替代品
substitute; replacement
noun
这种材料是木材的替代品。
This material is a substitute for wood.
补充
to supplement; supplement
verb/noun
我们需要补充一些新信息。
We need to supplement some new information.
仍然
still; yet
adverb
他仍然住在那个城市。
He still lives in that city.
家人
family members
noun
周末我喜欢和家人一起吃饭。
On weekends I like to eat with my family.
只不过
merely; only
adverb
我只不过是开个玩笑。
I was merely joking.
某些
some; certain
pronoun
在某些情况下，沉默是最好的回答。
In certain situations, silence is the best answer.
有趣
interesting
adjective
这个游戏非常有趣。
This game is very interesting.
轻松
relaxed; light
adjective
听完音乐，我感觉轻松多了。
After listening to music, I feel much more relaxed.
关键
key; crucial
noun/adjective
成功的关键在于坚持。
The key to success lies in persistence.
平衡
balance; to balance; balanced
noun/verb/adjective
我们要平衡工作和生活。
We need to balance work and life.
享受
to enjoy; enjoyment
verb/noun
我喜欢享受周末的阳光。
I like enjoying the weekend sunshine.
便利
convenient; convenience
adjective/noun
地铁给人们的出行带来了便利。
The subway brings convenience to people's travel.
放弃
to give up; to abandon
verb
无论多难，我都不会放弃。
No matter how hard it is, I will not give up.
真诚
sincere; genuine
adjective
他待人真诚，大家都很喜欢他。
He treats people sincerely, and everyone likes him.
追求
to pursue; pursuit
verb/noun
每个人都有自己的追求。
Everyone has their own pursuits.
毕竟
after all; ultimately
adverb
他毕竟是个孩子，需要多关心。
After all, he is a child and needs more care.
无论
no matter; regardless of
conjunction
无论下雨还是晴天，他都坚持跑步。
Whether it rains or is sunny, he persists in running.
变化
to change; change
verb/noun
城市的变化非常大。
The city has changed a great deal.
始终
always; throughout
adverb
他始终相信自己的选择。
He always believed in his choice.
温暖
warm; warmth
adjective/noun
她的话让我感到很温暖。
Her words made me feel very warm.
理解
to understand; understanding
verb/noun
我理解你的心情。
I understand your feelings.
既……又…… (jì... yòu...)
“既……又……” means “both... and...” or “not only... but also...” It is used to connect two qualities or actions that exist at the same time. The structure is “既 + A + 又 + B.” It is very common in written and spoken Chinese when describing someone or something with two features.
既想获得陪伴又不想承担太多情感负担。
Both wanting companionship and not wanting to take on too much emotional burden.
这个房间既干净又安静。
This room is both clean and quiet.
学中文既有趣又有用。
Learning Chinese is both interesting and useful.