The literal meaning is “to touch fish.” This phrase originates from the idiom 浑水摸鱼 (hún shuǐ mō yú), which means “to grope for fish in muddy water”—taking advantage of a chaotic situation for personal gain. In modern usage, the “muddy water” part is dropped, but the idea of doing something furtively remains. The image it evokes is of a lazy fisherman idly dipping their hands in the water instead of actively working, perfectly capturing the essence of slacking off.
摸鱼 (mō yú) is more than just a word; it's a cultural phenomenon and a quiet form of rebellion in modern China. For decades, the prevailing work ethic was one of tireless effort and sacrifice. However, with the rise of the intense 996 work culture (working 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week), many young people have started to push back. 摸鱼 is not about being lazy in principle; it's a coping mechanism. It's a way for employees, who often feel underpaid and overworked, to reclaim a small piece of their time and autonomy. It’s a form of “soft resistance.” In Western culture, “slacking off” or “goofing off” has a purely negative connotation of laziness and dereliction of duty. While 摸鱼 can certainly be negative if a manager uses it, among peers (打工人 (dǎ gōng rén), or “fellow workers”), it's often a shared, humorous, and relatable activity. Joking about 摸鱼 builds camaraderie and solidarity in the face of immense corporate pressure. It's a subtle acknowledgment that the system is demanding, and finding small moments of personal freedom is necessary for survival.
摸鱼 is highly informal and is a staple of everyday conversation in offices, schools, and on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat.