“City不City”: A Viral Phrase Explained An American blogger, Bao Bao Bear, has taken the internet by storm with short videos documenting his travels in China. In one video, he and his sister have a playful conversation: “Is Shanghai city or not?” “So city! Totally city!” The word city originally refers to a city or something […]
“Job Aura”(班味): A Cultural Phenomenon in Modern Workplaces In Chinese, it is pronounced as: bān wèi，Written as: What is “Job Aura”? The term “Job Aura” is often used to describe the physical and mental exhaustion that working individuals experience due to their jobs. It manifests in features like a bare-faced appearance, tired expressions, loose clothing, […]
“Old Iron”(老铁): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: lǎo tiě，Written as: The term “old iron” originates from the Chinese dialect expression “铁哥们儿” (tiě gēmen’er), which is a nickname for close friends and is similar to other terms like “iron buddy”. It describes relationships that are close, solid, reliable, and as strong as iron, symbolizing exceptionally […]
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: yǐ dú luàn huí，Written as: “Read and Reply Randomly” is an internet slang term referring to a behavior on social media platforms where one party, despite clearly having seen the other person’s message, deliberately responds in a playful or absurd way. This approach adds a sense of humor or […]
“Squatting on something”(蹲一个): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: dūn yí gè，Written as: “Squatting on something” is a phrase commonly used on social media and online forums in Chinese internet culture. Its origin can be traced back to the behavior of “waiting or camping out” for specific information, resources, or events to occur. 1. Waiting […]
“Throwing in the towel” (摆烂): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: bǎi làn，Written as: The term “throwing in the towel” refers to when things can no longer progress in a positive direction, and instead of taking action, one lets things deteriorate further. In simpler terms, it’s like saying, “Since it’s already a mess, just let […]
Bagua(八卦): In Chinese, it is pronounced as:bā guà，Written as: Gossip, also known as entertainment gossip, is a term used in the entertainment industry, originating from modern colloquial Hong Kongese, generally referring to idle talk with the connotation of discussing others’ affairs, especially rumors about the private lives of celebrities. It can function as a noun, […]
Because He’s Kind(因为他善): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: yīn wèi tā shàn，Written as: “Because he’s kind” is a popular internet phrase in Chinese. It originated from a monologue by Guo Degang, a famous Chinese stand-up comedian and crosstalk performer. In the story, Guo mentioned that Zhang Tianshi, a Taoist master, had four dietary restrictions, […]
Betrothal Gifts(彩礼): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: cǎi lǐ，Written as: Betrothal Gifts are an important part of traditional Chinese marriage customs. They involve the groom’s family presenting money or gifts to the bride’s family before the wedding. This custom varies in form and amount across different regions of China. Although the practice of giving […]
Breaking Down Defenses(破防): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: pò fáng，Written as: “Breaking down defenses,” a popular internet slang term, literally means to breach defenses. Originally, it referred to breaking through the opponent’s defenses in a game, rendering them defenseless. Today, it is used more broadly to describe a situation where someone is emotionally […]
Brick Moving(搬砖): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: bān zhuān，Written as: “Brick moving” is a Chinese term that originally referred to the literal act of moving bricks. On the internet, it has come to describe jobs that are physically demanding, repetitive, and low-paying. This term originated from Baidu Tieba, a popular Chinese online forum. Initially, […]
Chillaxation(松弛感): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: sōng chí gǎn，Written as: “Chillaxation” is a popular term on the internet, originating from an experience shared by a net blogger. He observed a family on a vacation trip who, despite having their luggage all sent back, displayed no signs of panic, anger, or frustration. Instead, they calmly […]
“Coming Ashore”(上岸): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: shàng àn，Written as: Its core meanings include leaving a boat to land, metaphorically referring to renouncing evil for good. It also relates to the success of candidates taking civil service exams, public sector job tests, company interviews, or being admitted to master’s or doctoral programs, signifying success […]
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: gàng jīng，Written as: “Contrarian troll” is a popular internet slang referring to individuals who derive pleasure from persistent arguing or always taking a contrary stance. The term originated from a Chinese comic. In April 2018, a comic mocking “contrarian trolls” was posted online. In the comic, a girl confesses […]
“CPU you” is an internet slang term that refers to applying linguistic techniques and psychological manipulation to exert pressure, undermine someone’s confidence, and cause their mental defenses to collapse, leading them to constantly doubt and deny themselves. This term originated when actress Xu Di was asked in an interview, “What should you do when your […]
Crush: The term “crush” refers to a fleeting but intense feeling of admiration or affection, often directed at someone’s appearance, personality, or charisma. This emotion is somewhat similar to the Chinese concepts of “having a good impression” or “love at first sight,” and it can also be understood as “a secret admiration” or “unspoken infatuation.” […]
Digital Pickles(电子榨菜): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: diàn zǐ zhà cài，Written as: “Digital pickles” is a trendy internet term that has emerged in recent years, originating in China. It typically describes minor but delightful items or activities that offer brief moments of joy. The term first surfaced in the realm of game streaming and […]
Enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple(配享太庙): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: pèi xiǎng tài miào，Written as: “Enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple” is a term that has gained popularity as internet slang in Chinese. In this modern context, it is often used humorously to express gratitude for someone’s immense generosity or kindness. The phrase […]
“Eye-Catcher”(显眼包)： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: xiǎn yǎn bāo，Written as: “Eye-catcher” is a neutral term that has become popular online. It refers to someone whose appearance or personality traits are distinctly noticeable. The term “eye” suggests something that is obvious and easy to see, hence eye-catching; “catcher” is added after verbs or adjectives to […]
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 […]
Grass-Stage Troupes(草台班子): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: cǎo tái bān zi，Written as: “Grass-stage troupe” is a Chinese term primarily referring to opera troupes that travel and perform long-term in rural market towns, deriving its name from “grass-stage plays.” The term has two main meanings: firstly, it generally refers to opera troupes that travel and […]
Green hat（绿帽子）： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: lǜ mào zi，Written as: The term “green hat” originally referred to a hat of green color but now commonly implies that one’s partner has been unfaithful. It carries a connotation of humiliation and is a phrase rooted in traditional Chinese culture. Typically, it describes a situation in […]
Hard Control(硬控): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: yìng kòng，Written as: “Hard Control,” a popular term originating from MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games, refers to forced control effects such as knock-ups, petrification, or freezing, which prevent players from controlling their characters. Over time, this term has evolved beyond gaming to describe something so captivating […]
Introverts person(i人): Introverts are individuals who tend to be inward-looking, prefer solitude, and often engage in self-reflection. They are more comfortable in quiet settings and frequently feel uneasy or anxious in social situations. This introverted personality trait is represented by the letter “i” in the MBTI personality test. Unlike extroverts, introverts focus more on their inner […]
Involution（内卷）： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: nèi juǎn，Written as: “Involution,” a term that has become popular online, originally described a phenomenon where a cultural pattern reaches a final form and can no longer stabilize or transform into something new, but instead becomes internally more complex. This term has been adopted by many university students […]
lemon envy/sour grapes(柠檬精): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: níng méng jīng，Written as: “lemon envy” is a term from internet slang. Originally referring to a sugary compound derived from lemon juice, it also refers to gastric acid. Literally, it means “lemon becoming essence,” symbolizing someone who enjoys souring or envying others. Nowadays, it’s often used […]
Lying flat（躺平）： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: tǎng píng，Written as: “Lying flat” is a buzzword that has become popular in recent years within Chinese online and social contexts. It generally refers to a passive approach to dealing with life’s pressures and societal competition, namely giving up on striving, foregoing effort, and choosing to expend […]
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: zuǐ tì，Written as: “Mouthpiece” is an internet slang term commonly used to describe someone who expresses opinions, viewpoints, or emotions on behalf of another person in specific situations. This is particularly prevalent on social media, live streaming platforms, or video content. The term “Mouthpiece” was coined by internet users […]
Ocean King/Sea King（海王）： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: hǎi wáng，Written as: “Ocean King” is an internet slang term with two meanings. First, it refers to the movie “Aquaman” or its main character, the superhero Arthur Curry, or the sea god Poseidon, with a neutral emotional connotation. Second, it describes a person with many romantic […]
Princess, Please Get in the Car(公主请上车): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: gōng zhǔ qǐng shàng chē，Written as: “Princess, please get in the car” is a popular internet phrase in China. Its origin can be traced back to a classic old movie, Roman Holiday. In the movie, Gregory Peck’s journalist character says this line […]
Pure Love Warrior(纯爱战士): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: chún ài zhàn shì，Written as: The term Pure Love Warrior is a popular slang phrase in the Chinese internet culture, often used to describe individuals who hold an idealistic and untainted view of love. These people firmly believe that love should be pure and free from […]
Red Heat(红温)： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: hóng wēn，Written as: “Red Heat” is an internet slang term originating from the esports field, describing a person who is extremely angry, with a flushed face indicating a state of emotional agitation and frustration. It is commonly used to refer to someone who is very excited […]
Single Dog(单身狗): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: dān shēn gǒu，Written as: “Single dog” is a popular internet slang term that originated in Chinese online communities. It’s a humorous way to describe people without romantic partners, especially when referring to oneself. The popularity of this term reflects a self-deprecating cultural phenomenon and represents a lighthearted […]
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: nà zǎ le，Written as: “So What” is a popular buzzword on the Chinese internet, often used to express confusion or skepticism. It implies a reserved attitude or questioning stance toward a previously mentioned topic, with an expectation for further explanation or clarification from the other party. This phrase has […]
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: shè niú，Written as: The term “Social Butterfly” (referred to as “Social Bull” in online slang) is used to describe individuals who exhibit extreme confidence, energy, and familiarity in social settings-even to the point of being overly outgoing. This term, which originated as internet slang, is essentially a playful abbreviation […]
Social Death(社死): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: shè sǐ，Written as: Social death is a popular internet term that primarily refers to making a fool of oneself in public. It broadly encompasses any embarrassing act in social circles that is so humiliating, it hampers one’s ability to engage normally in social interactions to the extent […]
“Stealthy Sensibility”(偷感): In Chinese, it is pronounced as: tōu gǎn，Written as: “Stealthy sensibility” is a popular term on the internet. Literally, it evokes imagery of moving stealthily or hesitantly, as if tiptoeing around like a thief—looking around cautiously and shrinking back. This term has been adopted by the youth to describe a psychological state where […]
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: tiǎn gǒu，Written as: The term “simp” is an internet slang used to describe someone who excessively flatters or caters to others without dignity. It is most often used in two contexts. The first pertains to romantic relationships: someone who, despite knowing the other person has no interest in them, […]
Versailles（凡尔赛）： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: fán ěr sài，Written as: In the context of the Chinese internet, the term “Versailles” has evolved from simply being a place name to an adjective used to describe a certain type of person or behavior. The so-called “Versailles” refers to those who appear humble, modest, or self-deprecating on […]
YYDS(永远的神): “YYDS” is a popular internet abbreviation derived from the Chinese phrase “永远的神” which translates to “Eternal God.” Initially used by fans to praise their idols, the term has since expanded beyond its original fan circles. It is now broadly applied not only to praise individuals but also countries, institutions, organizations, and even extends to […]
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