搭子
dāzi
Literally says
a pairing partner
Actually means
an activity buddy, a friend for exactly one thing
When to say it
Not a full friend, a buddy for one activity only. A lunch dāzi, a gym dāzi, a travel dāzi. Low pressure, no deep talk required, just show up together. It perfectly captures how young city people socialize now.
Hear it in the wild
我缺个饭搭子，你来吗？
Wǒ quē ge fàn dāzi, nǐ lái ma?
I need a lunch buddy, you in?
我和健身搭子每周练三次。
Wǒ hé jiànshēn dāzi měi zhōu liàn sān cì.
My gym buddy and I train three times a week.