Getting soy sauce(打酱油)：

In Chinese, it is pronounced as: dǎ jiàng yóu，Written as:

“Getting soy sauce” is a popular internet phrase that originated from Jia Pingwa’s article “Always Smiling.” In the story, a child is sent by his parents to buy soy sauce at a store. Unaware of his parents’ true intentions, he responds, “I’m just here to get soy sauce; what does it have to do with me!” This phrase has since evolved to express indifference or disinterest towards certain matters, akin to being a mere passerby or uninvolved.

In internet culture, “getting soy sauce” is often used to avoid sensitive topics or events. For example, following the celebrity photo scandal in Hong Kong, when a reporter asked bystanders for their opinions, one replied, “What’s it to me? I’m just out to buy soy sauce,” indicating disinterest or a desire to remain uninvolved. Additionally, the phrase can describe someone who has a low profile in a particular situation or is used humorously to downplay the importance of a person or event.

The usage of this expression is quite broad, serving both as a personal declaration of disinterest in certain topics and as a way to humorously avoid or sidestep issues online.

Moreover, “getting soy sauce” can also imply how time flies and children grow up. For instance, “I haven’t seen you in years; your child has gotten so big!” “Yes, he’s big enough to get soy sauce now.” Traditionally, buying soy sauce involved bringing one’s own bottle to the store to be filled as needed, which was a task often given to slightly older children, serving as a form of exercise and responsibility.

Another interpretation of this phrase indicates a general lack of concern or interest in certain matters, akin to being an uninvolved bystander or playing an insignificant role in a situation, as in, “I can’t make decisions about this; I’m just here to get soy sauce.”