Ever needed someone to join you for dinner, study, or even just to hit the gym—without being close friends? In Chinese slang, there‘s a perfect word for this: “搭子 (dā zi)”.
It literally means a “partner” or “companion,” but online it refers to a casual buddy you do specific activities with. Think of it as your “study buddy,” “travel buddy,” or “hotpot buddy.” You might not share secrets, but you share the activity.
Why “搭子 (dā zi)” Is So Popular
Life can feel busy and a bit lonely, so young people in China started finding 搭子 (dā zi)—partners for meals, workouts, movies, or even traveling. The idea is: you don‘t need to be best friends, but you can still enjoy things together.
It‘s practical, fun, and low-pressure. Instead of eating alone or skipping activities, people look for a 搭子 (dā zi) to make life more social.
Examples in Daily Life
Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yī gè kàn diàn yǐng de dā zi.
我想找一个看电影的搭子。
I want to find someone to watch movies with.
Tā shì wǒ de yùn dòng dā zi, měi zhōu yī qǐ qù jiàn shēn.
他是我的运动搭子，每周一起去健身。
He‘s my workout buddy—we go to the gym every week.
Zhōu mò wǒ hé dā zi qù lǚ xíng le.
周末我和搭子去旅行了。
I went traveling with my travel buddy over the weekend.
Related Slang You Might Hear
Fàn dā zi
饭搭子
meal buddy
Xué xí dā zi
学习搭子
study buddy
Lǚ xíng dā zi
旅行搭子
travel buddy
Yóu xì dā zi
游戏搭子
gaming buddy
How to Use It Like a Native
Perfect for casual invites: “找个饭搭子?” (Zhǎo gè fàn dā zi, Looking for someone to eat with?)
Great for online posts when you need company
Friendly but not too personal—it‘s about the activity, not deep friendship
Want to sound natural and join in on fun conversations like this?
At eChineseLearning, our native teachers help you master real slang like 搭子 (dā zi)—so you can make friends, laugh along, and connect in everyday Chinese.
Try your free 1-on-1 trial lesson with a live native Chinese teacher today—get personalized speaking practice that actually sticks!
Quiz : If someone says:“Tā shì wǒ de fàn dā zi.” (他是我的饭搭子。),What does it mean?
A. He‘s my chef
B. He‘s my meal buddy
C. He‘s my teacher
👉 Comment your answer below!
answer: B