Catch Phrase | 讨好型人格(tǎohǎoxíng réngé)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2020-06-16

Meaning:

“讨好” means “to curry favor with,” “型” means “type,” and “人格” means “character.” Not strictly a psychological term, this was coined by Chinese netizens to refer to the kind of people who are always very sensitive to other people’s opinion and willing to go the extra mile to please others, even at the sacrifice of their own interest.

Example:

A: 小马找我借钱买车,我自己没多少存款但又不好意思拒绝他,怎么办?

Xiǎomǎ zhǎo wǒ jièqián mǎichē,wǒ zìjǐ méi duōshǎo cúnkuǎn dàn yòu bùhǎoyìsī jùjué tā,zěnme bàn?

Xiao Ma wanted to borrow money from me to buy a new car. I don’t have much in my account but I feel uncomfortable to refuse him. What can I do?

B: 可能你是讨好型人格,但这种情况必须拒绝他。

Kěnéng nǐ shì tǎohǎoxíng réngé,dàn zhèzhǒng qíngkuàng bìxū jùjué tā。

I know you’re inclined to please people, but this time you have to say “No.”