灌水

guànshuǐ
verb

Meanings

  1. 1 to irrigate, to pour water into
  2. 2 (internet slang) to post filler / low-value content in a forum
  3. 3 to pad / inflate (stats, reports)

Examples

Bié zài qún lǐ guànshuǐ.
Stop spamming low-value messages in the group.
Tā de lùnwén guànshuǐ yánzhòng.
His paper is badly padded.

Tips

usage
Three meanings layer up: (1) literal 'pour water in' — irrigation, plumping meat. (2) forum slang — posting throwaway replies to farm post counts. (3) corporate / academic — padding a report or paper with filler. All build on the same 'adding water to dilute something' metaphor.

Stroke Order

guàn
shuǐ