Meaning
油滑 describes someone who is slick, cunning, or evasive in a negative way. It refers to people who are smooth talkers, avoid responsibility, or manipulate situations to their advantage. The word combines 油 (oil, oily) with 滑 (slippery), creating an image of someone who is difficult to pin down or hold accountable.
Usage
This is a mildly negative term used to criticize people who are overly clever at avoiding work or responsibility, often through flattery or evasion. It's commonly used in workplace or social contexts to describe colleagues or acquaintances who seem friendly but are unreliable or manipulative. The tone is disapproving but not extremely harsh.
Examples
- 01他这个人太油滑了，从来不肯承担责任。, .He's too slick—he never takes responsibility for anything.
- 02别看他说话油滑，其实很不可靠。, .Don't be fooled by his smooth talk—he's actually very unreliable.
Characters
Common collocations
- 油滑的人a slick person
- 为人油滑to be slick in one's conduct
- 办事油滑to handle matters slickly
Antonyms
Origin
The metaphor comes from the physical properties of oil making surfaces slippery and hard to grasp, extended to describe people whose character or behavior is similarly difficult to pin down or trust.