對付 / 对付
duìfu
To cope in Mandarin can be expressed as 對付 / 对付 (duìfu). Wiktionary also lists 應付 / 应付 (yìngfù) and 處理 / 处理 (chǔlǐ).
Meaning: to deal effectively with something (verb)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 對付 / 对付 | duìfu |
| 應付 / 应付 | yìngfù |
| 處理 / 处理 | chǔlǐ |
| 應對 / 应对 | yìngduì |
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nuance of the coping action. 對付 / 对付 often implies a struggle or confrontation with a difficult person, challenge or opponent. 應付 / 应付 carries a connotation of doing something perfunctorily or just barely doing enough to get by. 處理 / 处理 is a more neutral term that focuses on the actual process of handling, managing or resolving a specific matter or task. Finally, 應對 / 应对 focuses specifically on the way one responds or reacts to a situation or a set of circumstances.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word 對付 / 对付, the second syllable is typically pronounced with a neutral tone.
How do you pronounce it?
duìfu
Did you know?
- The character 應 in 應付 / 应付 and 應對 / 应对 originally meant 'to echo' or 'to respond', like a sound bouncing back.
- In the phrase 對付 / 对付, the character 對 originally meant 'opposite' or 'facing', reflecting the idea that coping is a literal confrontation with an adversary.
- Using 對付 / 对付 to describe a person can imply that they are 'easy to handle' or easily manipulated.
Examples in context
- 她成功地应付了这个困难的情况。She coped with the difficult situation successfully.
- 我能应付这种压力。I can cope with the pressure.
- 放松点，这个我们来搞定。Just relax and we will cope with this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cope” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
