This section of the Chinese Slang Dictionary focuses on Daily Life slang. Each entry includes the Chinese characters (汉字), pinyin pronunciation with tone marks, an English translation, at least one example sentence showing real usage, and cultural context explaining where the term comes from and how it is used. Terms are sorted by community popularity. Browse the full list below or use the search bar to find a specific term.
Daily Life Slang Terms
This term translates to 'homebody' and refers to someone who prefers staying at home, often indulging in activities like gaming, watching anime, or browsing the internet. It's often embraced playfully by those who ide...
On weekends, I’m a homebody, spending the whole day at home watching shows.
Literally means 'working spirit.' This term refers to the determination and dedication of workers, especially in stressful jobs. It's often used humorously to describe people who work hard but feel unrecognized.
I work tirelessly in the office every day, just to promote the spirit of working hard.
Translating to 'money-saving operation', this slang refers to the practice of aggressively saving money through various means, like discounts or budgeting. It's a response to financial pressures faced by many young pe...
To buy a new phone, I've started a money-saving operation.
Translating to 'let's talk about it tomorrow,' this phrase is often used to procrastinate or avoid dealing with a situation immediately. It humorously reflects a carefree attitude towards responsibilities.
Let's talk about this problem tomorrow.
Meaning 'passive,' this term describes situations where someone is not actively engaged or involved, often used in relationships or job environments.
He has been in a passive role in this project.
Meaning 'sowing seeds,' this term metaphorically refers to initiating something that will develop over time, often used in business or personal growth contexts. It emphasizes the importance of planning and foresight.
Sowing seeds in this field helps with future growth.
'Lazy cancer' is a humorous term for extreme laziness, as if one is afflicted by a disease that makes them unable to do anything productive. It’s often self-deprecating, used to express one’s struggle with motivation.
Recently I've been suffering from lazy cancer; I feel bothered even to go out.
Translating to 'quickly accomplished,' this term refers to a fast-track approach to acquiring skills or knowledge, often associated with online courses or tutorials. It reflects the desire for efficiency in learning.
Quickly accomplished courses are becoming more and more popular now.
Literally means 'to wave up'. It describes having fun, going with the flow, or living in the moment, often associated with carefree attitudes.
It's a holiday today; I want to have fun and enjoy myself.
Meaning 'not stopping', this term is often used to encourage persistence and resilience in the face of challenges. It’s about continuously striving for goals, especially in competitive environments.
In the face of difficulties, we must not stop and keep pushing forward.
Literally 'normal temperature,' this term refers to situations or people that are modest or down-to-earth, often used in contrast to those who are overly extravagant. It's a way of promoting authenticity.
He’s a very down-to-earth person and always stays authentic.
Translating to 'degree' or 'extent,' this term can refer to the range or intensity of something, often in discussions about situations or changes. It’s commonly used in both casual and formal contexts.
The extent of this change is quite significant.
This phrase means to adopt a 'Buddhist' or laid-back approach to life, indicating a sense of detachment or nonchalance towards stressors. It promotes a relaxed attitude, especially towards competitive pressures.
I'm choosing to take a laid-back approach now; I don't want to worry about work.
Extrovert - MBTI extrovert type person.
She is an extrovert, makes friends everywhere.
Meaning 'clearing to zero,' this term often describes starting fresh or over again, particularly after a failure or setback. It’s commonly used in contexts like lifestyle changes or resetting goals.
In the new year, I’ve decided to start fresh and reset.
Translating to 'search for inspiration', this term is commonly used by creators and artists when discussing their process of finding new ideas or creativity. It encapsulates the quest for artistic motivation.
I'm currently searching for inspiration to write an article.
Translating to 'walking dog,' this lighthearted term describes someone who casually moves around without a specific purpose or goal, often enjoying their time. It captures a laid-back attitude towards life.
Today, I’m just going to be a walking dog and stroll around casually.
This term simply means 'making money', but it's often used in internet culture to discuss ways of earning income, particularly through side hustles or online entrepreneurship.
Many young people are currently looking for ways to make money.
A playful way of saying 'happy,' this term is used to express joy or satisfaction in a light-hearted manner. It often appears in memes and casual conversations.
I'm very happy today; my mood is especially good.
Translating to 'conscience,' this term is often used to describe someone who acts with integrity or fairness, especially in business or service contexts.
This store is truly a conscientious business; their service is excellent.
This term means 'to float away' and is used to describe someone who is acting dreamy or out of touch with reality. It can imply being lost in thoughts or daydreaming.
He has been really out of it today; he didn't hear me talking.
Translating to 'shearing sheep,' this term is used for taking advantage of promotions or benefits, often in a savvy financial context. It implies getting the most out of available resources.
Recently, I've been taking advantage of promotions and grabbing coupons.
This phrase means 'to throw off burdens,' symbolizing the act of freeing oneself from stress or responsibilities. It encourages a lighter, more carefree approach to life.
It's time to throw off burdens and relax during the holiday.
Literally 'planting trees', this term is used metaphorically to mean investing time or resources into something with the expectation of future benefits. It's often discussed in the context of personal development or f...
One should plant trees while young to prepare for the future.
This term simply means 'bored' and is used to express a lack of interest or excitement in an activity. It frequently appears in casual conversations and memes.
Today's class was so boring that I almost fell asleep.
This idiomatic expression refers to a relaxed and carefree state of mind, often used to indicate contentment in one's own world. It embodies a sense of tranquility.
In this small café, I feel relaxed and carefree.
Translating to 'pick up sesame seeds,' this term refers to finding small joys or unexpected good fortune in life. It signifies appreciating the little things.
I found a little luck today; I’m in a great mood.
Literally 'overtime dog', this term describes someone who frequently works overtime, often with a humorous or self-deprecating twist. It reflects the demanding work culture prevalent in many industries.
Recently, I've turned into an overtime dog, having to work overtime every day.
This term means 'busy inside' and refers to someone who is preoccupied with their inner thoughts or emotions, often feeling overwhelmed or distracted.
Today at work, I was really busy inside; I felt a bit distracted.
A playful take on 'small certainties of happiness', this term refers to minor annoyances or frustrations that come up in daily life, often with a humorous twist. It contrasts with the idea of cherishing small joys.
There are always minor annoyances in life that leave you both laughing and crying.
Literally 'Buddha-like health maintenance,' this term refers to a relaxed and indifferent approach to health and well-being. It suggests that one should not stress excessively about health but maintain a balanced life...
I’ve been trying a relaxed approach to health maintenance lately and feel much easier.
Translating to 'teenage period,' this term is often used to discuss the challenges and experiences of youth. It encapsulates the struggles of growing up and the vital experiences during adolescence.
Everyone's teenage period is full of ups and downs.
'岁月神偷' translates to 'the thief of time,' used to describe how quickly time passes and how it steals youth and opportunities. It’s often used nostalgically and reflects on the fleeting nature of life.
I feel like time is a thief; my youth is truly gone.
Translating to 'even distribution of rain and dew,' this term describes a fair sharing of benefits or resources among individuals or groups. It’s often used when talking about fair treatment in social contexts.
We hope this event can achieve an even distribution of benefits, allowing everyone to gain.
Translating to 'wasting youth', this term reflects the concern over not making the most of one's young years, often used in discussions about time management and life choices.
I don't want to waste my youth, so I've decided to start learning new skills.
Translating to 'every day onward and upward', this phrase encourages continuous self-improvement and positive progress in life. It reflects an optimistic attitude towards personal growth.
I hope everyone can strive onward and upward every day, pursuing the life they want.
This term translates to 'must-have for watching dramas'. It refers to items or snacks that enhance the experience of binge-watching series, often shared in social media posts. It's commonly used in the context of disc...
You always have to prepare snacks that are must-haves for watching dramas.
This phrase means 'harmonious society' and represents the ideal of a peaceful and cooperative society, often used in political or social discussions. It emphasizes unity and mutual support.
We should work hard to build a harmonious society.
Meaning 'moisturizing,' this term is often used in a playful way to describe a state of being well off or indulged, especially in a financial context.
I've been living well lately; life is great.
This term means 'reliable' or 'trustworthy', often used in a casual context to evaluate people, services, or information. It can also imply a sense of sarcasm depending on the tone.
He is quite reliable in this matter; I trust him.
Literally 'fried chicken little sister,' this term humorously refers to girls who are obsessed with fried chicken. It captures a fun aspect of youth culture.
She is a fried chicken little sister; wherever there is good fried chicken, she goes.
Literally meaning 'to exert strength', this term is used in the context of pushing hard to achieve a goal, often seen in discussions about work or competitions. It conveys a sense of urgency and motivation.
To get into a good university, I've been pushing hard lately.
This phrase translates to 'just browsing casually' and is often used to downplay one's interest in something. It can be a polite way to indicate that someone is not seriously considering a purchase or commitment.
I'm just browsing casually and don't intend to buy.
This term means 'monthly salary' and is often used in discussions about income and financial stability. It reflects the growing concerns about financial pressures among young people.
My monthly salary isn't high, but I enjoy life.
Literally meaning 'old flavor,' this slang refers to traditional or nostalgic tastes and experiences, often in relation to food. It captures a sense of longing for the past and simpler times.
The cake from this shop has an old flavor that reminds me of my childhood.
Translating to 'study well and improve every day', this phrase is often used to encourage diligence and progress, especially among students and young professionals. It embodies a positive growth mindset.
We must remember: study well and improve every day.
Translates to 'various kinds,' used to describe a wide variety of things or people. It highlights the diversity present in a certain context.
There are all kinds of snacks here that will definitely satisfy you.
Translating to 'level up and defeat monsters', this gaming slang describes overcoming challenges in life, such as work or personal struggles, similar to leveling up in video games. It emphasizes resilience and progress.
Facing difficulties at work is just like leveling up and defeating monsters.
Literally meaning 'one dragon,' this slang refers to a service that is completely comprehensive, usually in the context of businesses offering a full suite of services. It reflects efficiency and convenience.
This hotel offers comprehensive services, which is very convenient.
Translating to 'boss lady', this term refers to a woman who is authoritative or runs her own business. It's often used in a playful or respectful manner, acknowledging a female figure in charge.
She is a successful boss lady, and her business is thriving.