Meaning and Usage
"放水" literally means "to release water," but in modern colloquial Chinese, it often refers to deliberately losing or throwing a game, match, or competition, usually for dishonest reasons such as bribery or match-fixing. It can also mean making concessions or easing conditions in negotiations or other contexts.
Common Contexts
- Sports and competitions: "放水" is used to describe when a player or team intentionally loses or underperforms.
- Business or negotiations: It can mean making concessions or 'letting go' of some demands to reach an agreement.
Collocations and Patterns
- "放水比赛" (throw a game): used to accuse or describe match-fixing.
- "被怀疑放水" (suspected of throwing a game): common phrase in sports scandals.
- "放水让步" (make concessions): used in negotiation contexts.
Usage Notes
When using "放水" in the context of sports or competitions, it carries a negative connotation implying dishonesty or unfairness. In negotiation contexts, it is more neutral and refers to strategic concessions. Avoid confusing "放水" with simply "letting water flow" in literal contexts; the figurative meaning is much more common in spoken and written Chinese today.
Meaning and Usage
"放水" literally means "to release water," but in modern colloquial Chinese, it often refers to deliberately losing or throwing a game, match, or competition, usually for dishonest reasons such as bribery or match-fixing. It can also mean making concessions or easing conditions in negotiations or other contexts.
Common Contexts
- Sports and competitions: "放水" is used to describe when a player or team intentionally loses or underperforms.
- Business or negotiations: It can mean making concessions or 'letting go' of some demands to reach an agreement.
Collocations and Patterns
- "放水比赛" (throw a game): used to accuse or describe match-fixing.
- "被怀疑放水" (suspected of throwing a game): common phrase in sports scandals.
- "放水让步" (make concessions): used in negotiation contexts.
Usage Notes
When using "放水" in the context of sports or competitions, it carries a negative connotation implying dishonesty or unfairness. In negotiation contexts, it is more neutral and refers to strategic concessions. Avoid confusing "放水" with simply "letting water flow" in literal contexts; the figurative meaning is much more common in spoken and written Chinese today.
Meaning and Usage
"放水" literally means "to release water," but in modern colloquial Chinese, it often refers to deliberately losing or throwing a game, match, or competition, usually for dishonest reasons such as bribery or match-fixing. It can also mean making concessions or easing conditions in negotiations or other contexts.
Common Contexts
- Sports and competitions: "放水" is used to describe when a player or team intentionally loses or underperforms.
- Business or negotiations: It can mean making concessions or 'letting go' of some demands to reach an agreement.
Collocations and Patterns
- "放水比赛" (throw a game): used to accuse or describe match-fixing.
- "被怀疑放水" (suspected of throwing a game): common phrase in sports scandals.
- "放水让步" (make concessions): used in negotiation contexts.
Usage Notes
When using "放水" in the context of sports or competitions, it carries a negative connotation implying dishonesty or unfairness. In negotiation contexts, it is more neutral and refers to strategic concessions. Avoid confusing "放水" with simply "letting water flow" in literal contexts; the figurative meaning is much more common in spoken and written Chinese today.