和事老 () — mediator who settles disputes by compromising principles (often derogatory)

Definition

A 和事老 is a peacemaker who settles disputes by smoothing things over rather than taking a side — usually a mild criticism (unlike a neutral 调解人/mediator, who is seen as fair).

noun
mediator who settles disputes by compromising principles (often derogatory)

Examples

  • 和事老
    Tā zǒng xǐ huan dāng hé, liǎng biān dōu bù dé zuì.
    He always likes to play the mediator, offending neither side.
  • 和事老
    Zài zhè ge wèn tí shàng, tā zhǐ shì yí gè hé, méi yǒu jiān chí yuán zé.
    On this issue, he is just a peacemaker who didn't stick to principles.
  • 和事老
    Bié zài zuò hé le, yǒu xiē máo dùn bì xū shuō qīng chǔ.
    Stop being a mediator — some conflicts need to be clarified.

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