What does 敷衍 mean in Chinese?

敷衍 (fū yǎn) means "to elaborate (on a theme); to expound (the classics); perfunctory; to skimp; to botch; to do sth half-heartedly or just for show; barely enough to get by" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 7-9.

How do you pronounce 敷衍?

敷衍 is pronounced "fū yǎn" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 敷衍?

敷衍 is an HSK 7-9 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one.

What characters make up 敷衍?

敷衍 is made up of the characters 敷, 衍. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 敷衍?

You can practice writing 敷衍 using our stroke order tool.

敷衍 (fū yǎn), to elaborate (on a theme)

敷衍

fū yǎn

to elaborate (on a theme); to expound (the classics); perfunctory; to skimp

HSK 7-9 Was HSK 6verb

Characters in This Word

敷衍

Definitions

(verb) to elaborate (on a theme)
to expound (the classics)
perfunctory
to skimp
to botch
to do sth half-heartedly or just for show
barely enough to get by

Example Sentences

他在敷衍了事，不认真负责。

Tā zài fūyǎn liǎoshì

He is doing things perfunctorily

Related Words

发挥(fā huī)· to display

→

阐述(chǎn shù)· to expound (a position)

→

刚(gāng)· hard

→

敷演(fū yǎn)· variant of 敷衍

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 7-9
HSK 2.0: HSK 6
HSK Lord study list: Not on a list

敷衍: HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 7-9 exam

Studying for HSK 7-9? Keep 敷衍 with the rest of your level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.