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.
Translating to 'all night until dawn,' this phrase describes staying up all night, especially for activities like gaming or studying. It highlights a culture of late-night dedication and commitment.
For this project, I stayed up all night until dawn.
Translating to 'dormitory economy', this term refers to a trend where students or young adults monetize their living spaces, often by creating content or running small businesses from their dorms. It reflects the entr...
Many people are now engaging in dormitory economies, using their spaces to make money.
This phrase means 'really impressive' or 'awesome.' It is often used to compliment someone's skills or achievements, particularly in competitive fields like sports or academics.
Your speech was really impressive; everyone loved it.
Happy water - Coca-Cola or sugary drinks.
Get me some happy water!
Fat otaku - Self-deprecating term for lazy homebody.
I am just a happy fat otaku.
Literally meaning 'pressure mountain big,' it describes feeling overwhelmed or heavily stressed. It's a humorous exaggeration that has become popular among young people.
Work and studying make me feel overwhelmed; I want a holiday.
Meaning 'to go in circles', this term describes a situation where someone is confused or unable to make progress. It often gently mocks a lack of direction in a humorous way.
I’m totally going in circles on this question; I can’t figure it out at all.
Meaning 'detective novels', this term is often used to refer to mystery stories that involve solving a crime. It's popular among reading communities and those who enjoy puzzles.
I've been reading detective novels lately and really enjoy the puzzle-solving aspect.
Translating to 'snack demon,' this term describes someone who loves to eat snacks excessively, often to an endearing extreme. It reflects a playful attitude towards food, particularly in a humorous context.
I'm really a snack demon; I just want to eat something all the time.
This term means 'to roll' and is used to describe the competitive pressure in various aspects of life, such as education or work. It reflects the feeling of being caught in an endless cycle of competition.
Students today are very competitive; everyone is studying hard.
Translating to 'ice and fire, two different skies', this term describes situations that have extremely contrasting conditions or feelings, often used to highlight the duality in experiences, emotions, or outcomes.
Life is always ice and fire, making people feel extremes.
Translates to 'emotion value', this term refers to the emotional state or the perceived emotional health of individuals. It's often discussed in relation to mental health and well-being on social media platforms.
Recently, my emotional value is a bit low; I need to go out more.
Meaning 'decided,' this term indicates a firm conclusion or resolution about something, often used in contexts of making important life choices or plans.
I decided to go on a trip to relax a bit.
Yeah, that's right / uh-huh — a distinctly Beijing affirmative sound used to agree, confirm, or acknowledge. More casual and warm than a standard 对 (correct). Unmistakably northern Chinese and a strong marker of genui...
You said we are meeting tomorrow? Uh-huh, I will message you then.
This term means 'filial piety' and describes the respect and devotion children show towards their parents. It reflects a cultural value deeply ingrained in Chinese society.
He is a very filial child, often helping his parents.
Literally 'learn now and sell now', this phrase describes a situation where someone quickly learns a skill or information just to use it immediately, often used humorously regarding unpreparedness.
I went to the interview today, completely learning on the fly.
This term refers to the overall atmosphere or vibe in a particular situation, often used in the context of social gatherings, art, or design. It highlights the importance of setting.
The atmosphere in this coffee shop is great, making me feel relaxed.
This phrase translates to 'a bit interesting' and is used to express curiosity or intrigue about something, often in a light-hearted or humorous context.
This story is a bit interesting; I want to hear more.
Literally 'milk tea is top-notch', this phrase expresses a strong affection for milk tea, which is immensely popular among young people. It represents the culture of enjoying bubble tea outings.
Let's go have some top-notch milk tea today!
Translating to 'fortune telling', this term is used in both traditional and modern contexts to refer to the practice of seeking predictions about one’s future based on astrology or other methods. It can also have a pl...
I like to go for fortune telling to see what the future holds.
This term conveys a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction, often used to respond positively to something delightfully surprising. It reflects a sense of enjoyment.
I just had an ice cream; it felt really satisfying.
Working 24/7 with zero days off — the extreme beyond 996. 007 means working from 0am to 0am, 7 days a week: never stopping. Used ironically to describe the most grueling work environments.
Our team is on 007 — didn't even get the weekend off last week.
Literally means 'Auntie has come' and refers to a woman’s menstrual period. It’s a euphemistic way of mentioning it to avoid directness.
I might not be available today; Auntie has come.
Introvert - MBTI introvert type person.
I am an introvert, do not like socializing.
Literally meaning 'to touch everywhere,' this term conveys the idea of experiencing or trying out a wide range of things, often in the context of food or travel. It reflects a curious and adventurous spirit.
I want to try all the delicious food in this city.
Translating to 'rich or poor,' this phrase is used to refer to the dichotomy of wealth in society. It highlights the stark differences between those who have money and those who struggle financially.
Whether you are rich or poor, life must go on.
To hash something out, argue through every detail — a Beijing word for lengthy, thorough discussion of a matter, often with a tinge of exasperation. Can mean let's work this out or stop over-explaining depending on co...
We need to hash this out properly — what exactly do you mean?
Too tired to love - So exhausted that you have lost passion.
Work has drained all my passion.
Translates to 'hot pot culture.' This term encapsulates the social aspect of dining in a hot pot restaurant, where people gather around a communal pot to cook and share food. It's popular among friends and family for ...
We are going to experience hot pot culture this weekend!
Literally meaning 'red envelope', this term is often used to refer to digital monetary gifts given during festivals or celebrations, especially on platforms like WeChat. It symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
I received many red envelopes for the New Year; I'm happy!
Literally means 'master of self-discipline'. It's an ironic term often used to refer to someone who tries hard to stay disciplined but fails, highlighting the struggle of maintaining self-control.
I decided to go to the gym every week, but in the end, I became a master of self-discipline for not going.
Translating to 'saving money', this term refers to the act of accumulating funds with a specific goal in mind. It emphasizes the desire for financial security or luxury items.
I have been saving money to buy a new phone recently.
This term literally means 'market crash' but has evolved to describe situations where things go wrong dramatically or fail catastrophically, often used humorously in everyday scenarios.
I didn't review at all for this exam; it looks like I'm going to crash again.
Meaning 'online', this term signifies being connected to the internet or active on social media. It's often used in discussions about presence in the digital space.
I'm online now; feel free to ask me anything.
Translating to 'unlock new skills,' this term describes acquiring new talents or experiences, often used in a humorous context to announce personal achievements or growth.
Recently, I unlocked a new skill: I learned how to bake cakes.
Translating to 'at most', this phrase indicates that the worst outcome is not as serious as it seems. It provides a sense of reassurance and encourages taking risks.
If I fail, at most I can try again.
This term means 'weekend' and is commonly used to refer to leisure activities or relaxation time after a workweek. It’s often associated with social plans or personal time.
Let's go hiking this weekend.
Means 'not happy', often used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment in a light-hearted way, especially in online discussions.
I’m not happy today because I didn’t do well on the exam.
Translates to 'monthly salary tribe.' This term is used to refer to individuals who work for a fixed monthly salary and often live paycheck to paycheck. It highlights the struggles of many young workers in urban envir...
As a monthly salary tribe member, I budget carefully every month.
Translating to 'milk tea shop', this term represents a trendy space associated with socializing and enjoying new flavors, often reflecting the popular milk tea culture in China. It’s often referenced in social media p...
Let's go to the milk tea shop after work!
Pulling grass - Finally buying something you wanted.
Finally bought this bag I wanted.
This translates to 'instant noodles' and is often used metaphorically to describe quick, convenient meals or life choices. It also reflects a casual lifestyle.
I just want to eat instant noodles tonight; I’m too tired.
This term means 'perfectionism', referring to the desire to achieve flawlessness. It's often discussed in relation to mental health and the pressures of societal expectations.
Her attitude towards work shows some perfectionism.
Absolutely fantastic, top notch — a very Beijing way to say something is excellent. 倍儿 is a Beijing 儿化 intensifier meaning super or extra, and 棒 means great. Quintessential hutong slang for something impressively good.
Today's meal was absolutely fantastic — even better than a restaurant.
Out of tune, unreliable, irresponsible — a Beijing expression for someone who cannot be counted on. Literally means not hitting the right musical note. Used to describe people who talk big but never follow through.
This person is completely unreliable — he never keeps his promises.
Referring to 'military training', this term describes mandatory training exercises for students. It’s often associated with rigorous discipline and hard work, typically conducted at universities.
Every year, the school organizes military training; it's really exhausting.
To dawdle, drag your feet, or be annoyingly wishy-washy — a Beijing word for someone who is slow and indecisive, keeps going back and forth instead of just acting. Expresses strong disapproval of inefficiency.
Can you stop dawdling? You said let's go — stop dragging your feet.
Translating to 'seeking fun,' this term is often used to describe the act of looking for entertainment or engaging in silly behavior.
During the holiday, it’s all about seeking fun!
This term means 'by the way' or 'while you're at it,' often used to indicate taking an additional action while doing something else. It reflects a casual, efficient approach to multitasking.
I will go to the supermarket and by the way, buy some fruit.
The 996 work schedule — working from 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week. The symbol of overwork culture and labor exploitation in China's tech industry. Sparked massive national debate about workers' rights.
The 996 schedule is completely normal at this company — there's no life outside work.
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