Stop Saying "马马虎虎"! This Expression Is Outdated
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Have You Been Using "马马虎虎" the Wrong Way?
If you’re learning Chinese, you’ve probably come across the phrase "马马虎虎" (mǎmǎhūhū). Many students learn that it means "so-so", and they often use it to describe their day:
昨天马马虎虎，今天…… (Yesterday was so-so, today...)
But did you know? While this phrase is grammatically correct, using it this way sounds outdated in modern spoken Chinese!
What Does "马马虎虎" Actually Mean?
The phrase "马马虎虎" has two meanings:
1️⃣ Not serious or careless—Describes a person’s attitude -doesn't pay attention to details, is careless, or approaches things casually.
2️⃣ Not so bad or just okay—Describes something that is barely acceptable but not particularly impressive.
💡 Examples:
✅ 这次考试我考得马马虎虎。 (I did so-so on this exam. – Meaning: average performance, neither good nor bad.)
✅ 他做事总是马马虎虎的。 (He always does things carelessly.)
❌ 昨天马马虎虎。 (Yesterday was so-so. – Sounds unnatural in modern Chinese.)
While this sentence is not technically wrong, native speakers rarely use "马马虎虎" to describe an entire day. The phrase is typically used to evaluate a specific action, result, or a person’s work ethic, rather than expressing how a day went.
How to Naturally Say "Just So-So" in Chinese
If you want to say that something was average, neither good nor bad, here are some more natural alternatives:
✅ 还可以 (hái kěyǐ) – “It was okay.”
✅ 一般般 (yībān bān) – “It was so-so.”
✅ 凑合吧 (còuhe ba) – “It was alright / It was manageable.”
💡 Examples of natural usage:
✅ 昨天过得还可以。 (Yesterday was okay.)
✅ 昨天一般般，没什么特别的。 (Yesterday was so-so, nothing special.)
✅ 凑合吧，不算太忙。 (It was alright, not too busy.)
Why Do Chinese Textbooks Still Teach "马马虎虎"?
Older Chinese learning materials often use "马马虎虎" to teach students how to express "so-so". However, as language evolves, some textbook phrases become outdated.
A study by AllSet Learning highlights that many traditional Chinese textbooks contain words and expressions that are rarely used in real-life modern Chinese, and "马马虎虎" is one of them.
Just like in any language, Mandarin evolves over time. That’s why it’s essential to go beyond textbooks and expose yourself to real conversations, movies, and native content to learn how people actually speak today.
Speak Naturally: Use Modern Expressions!
Next time you’re tempted to say "昨天马马虎虎", try "昨天一般般" instead! Small changes like this make your Chinese sound more natural and up-to-date.
Have you ever learned a phrase from a textbook that turned out to be outdated? Share your experience in the comments! 😊
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