斩杀线 (zhǎn shā xiàn)
Kill Line / The Floor You Cannot Fall Through
For office workers, the monthly kill line is rent plus the credit card bill — clear that and you can finally breathe.
This is the complete browsable index of our Chinese Slang Dictionary — 3800+ verified internet slang terms used on platforms like Weibo, Bilibili, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu. Every entry includes the Chinese characters (汉字), pinyin with tone marks, an English translation, at least one example sentence in authentic Chinese, and a cultural note explaining where the term comes from and how it is really used. Terms are ranked by community votes, so the most useful and widely used terms appear first. New slang is added daily from trending Chinese social media. Looking for a specific term? Use the search bar at the top of the page.
Kill Line / The Floor You Cannot Fall Through
For office workers, the monthly kill line is rent plus the credit card bill — clear that and you can finally breathe.
Your servant cannot do this - a dramatic refusal meme from 甄嬛传
Wake up at 6am? Your servant absolutely cannot do this!
This term means 'to increase one's knowledge' and is used when someone learns something new or gains insight, especially from online content or discussions.
This article is really good; I learned a lot from it.
Translating to 'old cannon,' this term refers to someone who is experienced but perhaps a bit outdated in their methods. It often has a nostalgic tone, reminiscing about the 'good old days.'
He is an old cannon, but still very charming.
A popular internet slang that represents laughter, similar to 'LOL', it originated from the typing of '哈哈哈' (hā hā hā) where '233' was inputted to represent exaggerated amusement.
This video is so funny, 23333.
This term refers to a type of rice noodle dish that has become immensely popular among young people. The name literally translates to 'snail rice noodles,' but its reputation has grown beyond its somewhat unusual name.
Recently, I became obsessed with snail rice noodles; they are just so delicious.
Lie Flat / Grind Hard / Leave — The Three Paths
Young people today face three paths: lie flat, grind, or leave — which do you choose?
Literally 'Kuaishou brainwashing,' it refers to the engaging and addictive nature of content found on the Kuaishou platform. It's often used to describe how people can get hooked on short videos.
After watching a few Kuaishou videos, I've already started to feel brainwashed by them.
Attention seeker; someone who stands out and loves the spotlight
He always speaks up at every meeting — such an attention seeker.
Literally means 'happiness in the duvet'. It describes the comfort and joy of staying in bed, especially on lazy days.
Weekends are meant to enjoy happiness in the duvet; I don't want to go out.
A term that means 'to endure' or 'to get by'. It is often used in gaming contexts, humorously referring to players who just survive rather than excel.
In this match, I could only just get by.
The term refers to the 'internet celebrity economy', where social media influencers generate revenue through their online presence. This reflects the growing impact of internet celebrities on consumer behavior and mar...
The internet celebrity economy is really booming now; many people want to become influencers.
Mama Kris — affectionate nickname for Kris Jenner, the Kardashian-Jenner family matriarch and manager (momager). On Chinese internet she's the face of manifestation culture and strategic ambition. Used to describe any...
She plans everyone's career for them — she's basically Mama Kris.
Literally meaning 'rebellious', it describes someone who goes against the norm or authority, often in a humorous or light-hearted manner. This term is often used in youth culture.
He’s a rebellious youth, always ready to challenge authority.
Someone is setting a trap for me - suspicious of someone's ulterior motives
You're suddenly treating me to dinner? You must be setting a trap for me!
Meaning 'workaholic', this term is used to describe someone who is excessively devoted to their work, often to the detriment of personal life. It reflects modern work culture's pressures.
He’s truly a workaholic; he doesn’t rest on weekends either.
Short for 磕到了 (kē dào le) — literally "got hit by it," meaning a romantic pairing or cute moment has struck you so hard that you are emotionally wrecked in the best way. Used by fans when a ship (a couple they root fo...
After watching the latest episode, this couple really got me — my heart was racing!
This term literally means 'sour and refreshing' and is used to describe a feeling of satisfaction after a minor triumph or a sweet revenge. It's often used in contexts where someone feels vindicated, especially after ...
His rebuttal was truly satisfying.
Literally meaning 'moved from the heart,' this phrase is used to signify genuine sentiments or sincerity, particularly in emotional contexts. It often appears in discussions about relationships or heartfelt moments.
This article really touched my heart.
A playful internet expression meaning "I beg you / please stop / control yourself." The "Q" represents 球 (qiú, ball), so 拴Q literally means "tie up the ball" — i.e., rein it in. Used in an exasperated but affectionate...
Can you please stop spamming memes in the group chat — I am begging you!
Referring to the '996 working hour system' (9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week), this term criticizes the grueling work culture many face, particularly in the tech industry. It highlights the unhealthy work-life balance pr...
Our company follows the 996 culture, and many people are very tired.
Despicable people are just being dramatic - a cutting insult from 甄嬛传
You're crying over something this small? Despicable people are just being dramatic.
This phrase means 'to get rich and prosper' and is often used in discussions about entrepreneurship and financial success. It reflects aspirations for wealth and success in modern society.
Many young people hope to get rich and prosper through entrepreneurship.
Translates to 'mystical science,' typically referring to pseudoscientific practices, like astrology or divination. It symbolizes a fascination with the supernatural.
She believes in mystical sciences and often consults fortune-tellers about the future.
This term means 'underline key points' and is often used in discussions to emphasize important information or ideas. It can also be humorous when used in non-serious contexts.
I think this sentence should be underlined as key.
Translating to 'brain-burning,' this term describes tasks or media that are intellectually challenging or complicated. It's commonly associated with difficult puzzles, movies, or discussions.
This movie is so brain-burning; I need to think about it for a long time after watching.
This phrase translates to 'blue and thin mushroom' and is a humorous expression of sadness or disappointment, stemming from a viral video. The absurd imagery makes it memorable and funny.
I didn't pass the exam; I'm really feeling blue and thin mushroom.
Broken defense - When something emotionally moves you to the point of losing composure, like tearing up or losing your cool facade.
This video completely broke me, it was so touching.
Translating to 'fragrance warning', this term is often humorously used to alert others that something that was once criticized is now being praised or enjoyed. It's a way to signal a change in opinion.
This new TV series is a fragrance warning; I didn't plan to watch it.
Translating to 'refined egoism,' this term describes a style of living focused on personal aesthetics and self-interest, often used to critique superficial lifestyles.
He lives a life of refined egoism, pursuing a perfect appearance.
Short for 'grandpa’s youth has returned,' this phrase evokes nostalgia, particularly for the younger generation who feel a strong connection to the cultural phenomena of the past, such as music, TV shows, or games.
This song makes me feel nostalgic for the past.
Manifestation — the Kardashian family philosophy of visualizing and emotionally believing in desired outcomes to attract them into reality. The entire Kardashian-Jenner clan openly lives by this principle, but it was ...
I'm manifesting a high-paying job by meditating for half an hour every day.
If a person has no dreams, what is the difference between them and a salted fish? The most famous line from Stephen Chow's 2001 film Shaolin Soccer. Used online both sincerely as a motivational call to action and humo...
If you have no dreams, what separates you from a salted fish? Go find a job!
Literally means 'Dong Shi imitating the frown', it describes someone trying too hard to imitate or follow trends without an understanding of what is appropriate or suitable for them.
Her imitation is really like Dong Shi trying to frown; it doesn’t suit her at all.
Literally translates to 'little broken station'. It refers humorously to less popular or niche websites or platforms, often used affectionately among users.
We all communicate on this little broken station; it's much more fun than the big sites.
Translating to 'strive for love,' this phrase expresses a romantic notion of working hard for love and relationships. It showcases the often playful seriousness taken in romantic pursuits.
Striving for love is truly the motivation of life.
Translating to 'made me laugh hard', this phrase is a way of expressing how funny something was. It is often used in response to humorous content.
This video made me laugh hard; it’s so funny!
Meaning 'to jungle', this gaming slang refers to a role in multiplayer online games where a player focuses on defeating neutral monsters for gold and experience. It often requires strategic thinking and teamwork.
He plays the jungle role very well in the game and helps the team achieve victory.
This term is an affectionate way to describe something that is pure or innocent, often used in a playful context. It's commonly used in social media to express endearment.
Her smile is so pure; it makes my heart flutter.
Artificial Stupidity — a pun on 人工智能 (artificial intelligence), used mockingly when AI products fail, misunderstand, or produce absurd results.
This voice assistant can't understand me at all — what a piece of artificial stupidity.
Translating to 'delicate girl,' this term refers to women who embody a refined and aesthetically pleasing lifestyle, often emphasizing fashion, beauty, and self-care.
She is truly a delicate girl; her life is full of beauty.
This phrase translates to 'life is hard, don’t unpack it,' indicating that some things are too harsh to explain or dwell on, often used to convey a shared understanding of life's struggles.
Hearing this news, I can only sigh that life is hard, don’t unpack it.
Distillation — borrowed from chemistry, now a buzzword in Chinese AI circles. Refers to knowledge distillation in two related senses: (1) training a small, efficient model to replicate the behaviour of a much larger o...
Someone fed all this professor's papers and lecture videos into a model and basically distilled him into an AI.
Fortune Granny / Mother of Fortune — on Xiaohongshu, 财神奶 is the beloved nickname for Kris Jenner, the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch. Chinese users crowned her 财神奶 because she turned her daughters into billionaires throu...
Mama Kris is truly the Fortune Granny — she raised all her daughters to be billionaires!
Malfoy has arrived / The Horse Year has arrived — a phrase with a viral double meaning. Originally used sarcastically when someone arrogant or privileged makes a dramatic entrance (Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter). In ...
Happy New Year! Malfoy (the Horse Year) has arrived — wishing everyone great fortune in the Year of the Horse!
Translating to 'instant noodle hero', this term is humorously used to describe someone who frequently consumes instant noodles, often due to a busy lifestyle or lack of cooking skills. It can also evoke nostalgia for ...
In high school, I was an instant noodle hero; I only started learning to cook now.
Translating to 'another world', this term refers to themes in anime and gaming where characters are transported to fantasy realms. It has become a popular reference among fans of these genres.
I’ve recently been watching an anime about adventures in another world.
I love you — 520 sounds like 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) in Mandarin. The most iconic Chinese number code for love, used in texts, gifts, and online chats. May 20th (5/20) has become an unofficial Valentine's Day in China because ...
Today is May 20th (520), I want to tell you — I love you!
I love you forever — the ultimate romantic number combination in Chinese, merging 520 (I love you / 我爱你) and 1314 (forever / 一生一世) into a single declaration of eternal love.
Happy anniversary! I love you forever — 5201314!
Lying flat - a lifestyle philosophy of doing the bare minimum, rejecting the pressure to constantly strive for more. A counter-movement to '内卷' (involution).
I've decided to lie flat, I don't want to compete anymore.
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