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verb HSK 5
tuī xiè
to shirk · to evade responsibility · to shift blame

Meaning

推卸 means to shirk or avoid responsibility by shifting it onto others or finding excuses. The word combines 推 (to push) and 卸 (to unload/remove), creating the image of 'pushing off' one's duties or obligations. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting irresponsible or dishonest behavior.

Usage

This is a formal or semi-formal verb commonly used in written language, news, and workplace contexts. It often appears in the pattern 推卸责任 (to shirk responsibility). Native speakers use it to criticize someone who refuses to take accountability for their actions or mistakes.

Examples

  1. 01
    他总是推卸责任，从不承认自己的错误。
    Tā zǒng shì tuī xiè zé rèn, cóng bù chéng rèn zì jǐ de cuò wù.
    He always shirks responsibility and never admits his own mistakes.
  2. 02
    面对问题时，我们不应该互相推卸，而应该共同解决。
    Miàn duì wèn tí shí, wǒ men bù yīng gāi hù xiāng tuī xiè, ér yīng gāi gòng tóng jiě jué.
    When facing problems, we shouldn't shift blame to each other, but should solve them together.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 推卸责任
    tuī xiè zé rèn
    to shirk responsibility
  • 推卸义务
    tuī xiè yì wù
    to evade one's duty
  • 互相推卸
    hù xiāng tuī xiè
    to shift blame to each other
  • 不能推卸
    bù néng tuī xiè
    cannot shirk

Antonyms

Origin

The compound combines the physical actions of 'pushing away' (推) and 'unloading' (卸) to metaphorically describe the act of offloading responsibility or blame onto others.

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