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 '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.
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!
Translating to 'real-life version,' this term describes real situations that mirror or are reminiscent of scenarios typically seen in movies, games, or literature. It's used to discuss relatable experiences.
This trip is like a real-life version of an adventure story.
Translating to 'personal signature,' this refers to the custom signature or quote that individuals use in their online profiles or social media. It's often a reflection of one's personality or current mood.
I changed my personal signature to let everyone know how I'm feeling lately.
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.
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.
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.
Translating to 'meat pie falling from the sky', this phrase refers to unexpected good fortune or luck, often in a sarcastic sense. It implies that one should not expect free gifts or success without hard work.
Success doesn’t come from meat pies falling from the sky; it requires hard work.
Translating to 'small waves', this term describes minor or trivial conflicts or dramas that occur in daily life or online. It suggests that the issues are not serious but still noteworthy.
This little drama isn’t a big deal.
Translating to 'the outside scene', this term is often used to describe a situation where external appearances are misleading, highlighting the contrast between surface beauty and underlying issues.
The outside scene seems beautiful, but internally there are many troubles.
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.
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.
Literally 'bad luck,' this term is used to express frustration over unfortunate events or circumstances. It conveys a sense of being jinxed or unfairly treated.
Today I’m really unlucky; I lost my wallet.
This term means 'street vending' and describes the act of setting up a stall to sell goods or food, typically in a public space. It's often associated with entrepreneurship and the hustle culture.
I've decided to set up a stall this weekend to sell some handmade accessories.
Meaning 'fragile' or 'weak', this term is often used to describe someone who is emotionally sensitive. It has gained traction in discussions around mental health and vulnerability.
In this high-pressure society, many people feel fragile.
Translating to 'urban disease,' this term refers to the various issues faced by people living in cities, such as stress, anxiety, and burnout. It captures the negatives of urban living amid the fast-paced lifestyle.
As urban issues worsen, people increasingly yearn for a pastoral life.
This term means 'warm' or 'buzzing with excitement,' often used to describe something that is fresh, trending, or lively, particularly in social or culinary contexts.
The dishes at this new restaurant are really buzzing with excitement; they taste great.
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.
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.
Literally means 'workers with fragile skin', this term humorously describes people who are overworked yet still want to maintain a glamorous lifestyle, often creating a stark contrast between their daily grind and the...
Even though I'm a fragile worker, I still love to pursue fashion.
Too tired to love - So exhausted that you have lost passion.
Work has drained all my passion.
Meaning 'with this comes,' it’s often used to express that certain consequences or effects follow a specific action or event. It captures the cause-and-effect relationship common in discussions.
Work hard, and with this comes rewards.
This term translates to 'extra surprise' and refers to unexpected, delightful occurrences that surpass expectations. It can be applied in various contexts, from gifts to personal achievements.
This trip had many extra surprises; I was so happy.
This term means 'cheating' and is commonly used to describe dishonest behavior, especially in academic or competitive contexts. It can also be used humorously in non-serious situations.
Today's exam was really difficult; it was tough to pass without cheating.
Literally means 'strong man'. It is used to refer to muscular, powerful men, often in a humorous or exaggerated manner.
He works out hard; he's a strong man.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Literally 'Fragmented Time', this term refers to small amounts of free time that can be utilized for productive activities, often used in the context of self-improvement or studying.
Utilize fragmented time to study and improve yourself.
Meaning 'atmosphere,' this term describes the mood or feeling in a particular setting, especially in social situations. It’s crucial in discussions about events and gatherings.
The atmosphere of this party is very good; everyone is 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.
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.
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.
Translates to 'steady and solid,' this term is used to describe someone's reliable nature or approach, particularly in financial or work contexts. It suggests stability and measured decision-making.
He performs very steadily at work and is trustworthy.
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.
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!
Translating to 'iron cage', this slang describes a situation where people feel trapped in a rigid social or economic system, often used to discuss work-life balance and societal pressures.
I feel like working in this city is like being in an iron cage.
Translating to 'place an order', this term is commonly used in e-commerce and online shopping contexts. It signifies making a purchase decision and is a routine part of online shopping culture.
I just placed an order for a new phone.
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.
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.
This term means 'sharing economy', referring to business models that promote sharing and renting over ownership. It highlights a cultural shift towards collaborative consumption.
Many young people are participating in the sharing economy by using shared bikes.
This term translates to 'circle layer' and refers to social or professional groups with similar interests or backgrounds. It highlights the concept of social stratification and belonging.
In this circle, everyone has high aspirations.
Literally means 'bargaining master.' It refers to someone who is exceptionally skilled at negotiating prices, especially in online shopping contexts.
My friend is a bargaining master; they always manage to get the lowest price when shopping online.
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.
This phrase means 'live in the moment,' urging individuals to focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or future. It's often used in wellness and mindfulness discussions.
Enjoy life, live in the moment.
This phrase translates to 'push down and start over', referring to the act of completely redoing something from scratch. It reflects a desire for a fresh start.
This project has failed; I've decided to start over from scratch.
Introvert - MBTI introvert type person.
I am an introvert, do not like socializing.
Meaning 'kitchen god,' this term is a lighthearted way to refer to someone who is exceptionally skilled at cooking. It conveys admiration for culinary skills.
The dishes she makes are truly kitchen god-level; I want to learn so much!
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.
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