TheRiseof"DaziCulture":HowChineseYouthAreRedefiningFriendshipwithActivity-BasedCompanions_[MMKMMC]

InChina’sbustlingurbancenters,anewsocialtrendcalled"搭子"(dázi)isreshapinghowyoungpeopleformconnections.Unliketraditionalfriendshipsthatdemandemotionaldepthandlong-termcommitment,adaziisatemporarycompanionforspecificactivities—beitgymworkouts,coffeeruns,orevensolotravelmeetups.ThispragmaticapproachtobondingreflectsGen-Z’sdesireforlow-pressuresocializationamidbusyschedulesandeconomicuncertainty.

Thedaziphenomenonthrivesonefficiency.AppslikeXiaohongshuandDoubanbuzzwithpostsseeking"studydazi"or"concertdazi,"emphasizingsharedinterestsoverpersonalties.Sociologistsattributeitspopularitytourbanizationanddigitalculture,whereconvenienceoftenoutweighsintimacy.Yetcriticsargueitrisksreducingrelationshipstotransactions.

AsWesternaudiencesexploretermslike"situationship"or"friendlationship,"China’sdazicultureoffersafreshlensonmodernloneliness—andthecreativewaysyoutharecoping.Whetherafleetingtrendoralastingshift,onethingisclear:intheageofburnout,sometimescompanionshipisjustaboutshowingup.

(Wordcount:~150)