倒霉 (dǎo méi)
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 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.
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.
Translating to 'reverse studying abroad', this term refers to Chinese students returning from abroad to study or work in China. It highlights the trend of coming back home with international experiences.
More and more young people are choosing to study abroad in reverse.
Meaning 'happy fat homebody', this term affectionately describes individuals who enjoy staying at home and indulging in leisurely activities, often humorously embracing their lifestyle. It reflects the joy of comfort ...
I'm just a happy fat homebody who loves watching dramas at home.
Meaning 'offline', this term is often used humorously to describe someone who is out of touch with current trends or news. It can also refer to a person who does not participate in social media.
You've been offline for too long these days.
Translating to 'killing time', this phrase refers to activities that occupy one's time without necessarily being productive. It reflects a casual or leisurely approach to passing moments while waiting or looking for e...
I like watching videos to kill time.
Do not / no need to — a contracted Beijing word combining 不用 (no need) into a single character. Extremely common in spoken Beijing dialect and a strong marker of authentic northern Chinese speech. More emphatic and st...
Do not worry about it — I will handle this, trust me.
Literally 'chip mentality,' this phrase reflects the habit of seeking immediate gratification, akin to how people snack on chips. It implies a tendency to desire instant rewards without consideration for the long term.
Many young people now have a chip mentality and lack patience.
Fat otaku - Self-deprecating term for lazy homebody.
I am just a happy fat otaku.
Translating to 'carefree' or 'easy-going,' this term reflects a relaxed attitude towards life or certain situations. It signifies being flexible and adaptable without stress.
I like a carefree lifestyle, not bothering too much with rules.
Translating to 'during the pandemic,' this term is used to refer to events, changes, or behaviors that arose as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects on the societal adaptations made.
During the pandemic, many people started shopping online and working remotely.
Literally 'angel investment,' this term refers to investments made at the early stages of startups or projects. It’s often used in entrepreneurial discussions.
I hope to find some angel investment to support my project.
Translating to 'big stove', this term humorously refers to someone who cooks very well, often used to praise a friend’s culinary skills. It highlights the appreciation of good food and cooking.
You made this dish so well; you’re a great cook!
Literally meaning 'negative energy', this term describes pessimism or negative attitudes, often used humorously to address someone’s moody behavior or toxic mindset.
Stop spreading negative energy; everyone wants to be happier.
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 '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 'wonderful life,' this term encapsulates the aspiration for a positive and fulfilling lifestyle. It's often used in self-improvement discussions or lifestyle blogs.
We should pursue a wonderful life instead of mindlessly competing.
Translating to 'beyond the syllabus', this term refers to someone who exceeds expectations or the standard requirements, often in a positive way. It's commonly used in educational contexts.
He exceeded expectations in the exam and performed excellently.
Translating to 'sudden wealth', this term describes someone who becomes rich unexpectedly or due to luck. It often carries a sense of excitement or envy.
He recently struck it rich; it’s really enviable.
Meaning 'it's nothing', this term is often used to downplay a situation or assure someone that everything is fine. It conveys a casual attitude towards minor issues.
It’s okay, it’s nothing; I can understand your situation.
This term literally means 'to gain weight' but is often used humorously to describe someone who has become pudgy or chubby, often in a playful or affectionate way.
I’ve gained some weight recently; I need to start controlling my diet.
Meaning 'not entangled', this term reflects a carefree attitude towards choices or dilemmas, suggesting a decision to not overthink situations. It encourages living in the moment.
When facing problems, I choose not to overthink and just go with the flow.
Translating to 'have a nightmare', this term is often used figuratively in discussions about experiencing difficulties or challenges, equating them to night terrors.
This project makes me feel like I'm having a nightmare.
Literally meaning 'spirited young man', this term describes someone who is energetic, positive, and full of life. It implies enthusiasm and a zest for life, often in a humorous context.
He is a spirited young man, always full of energy.
Translating to 'understand in a second,' this term is used to describe something that is instantly comprehensible or easy to understand. It is often used in educational contexts or when sharing information.
The explanation in this video is very clear; I understood it instantly.
Translating to 'rational' or 'sensible,' this term is often used to encourage people to think logically rather than emotionally, especially in heated debates or discussions.
In this kind of debate, we need to stay rational.
Translating to 'seize the opportunity,' this phrase encourages taking chances and making the most of situations. It's motivational and often used in discussions about career and personal growth.
When you're young, seize the opportunities and leave no regrets.
Translating to 'real chicken soup', this term refers to overly sentimental or motivational phrases that are supposed to uplift but can seem clichéd or insincere. It is often used sarcastically.
After hearing his words, I feel like this is real chicken soup.
Referring to a group of people who often slack off at work or school. It captures a collective mindset where the focus is on avoiding hard work while still maintaining the appearance of productivity.
We’ve become a group that slacks off, and life feels much easier now.
This term refers to the cultural phenomenon of frequently purchasing milk tea, representing a lifestyle choice among younger generations. It highlights the influence of trendy beverages on consumer habits.
Her spending on milk tea surprises me.
This refers to being in a tough economic situation, with '159' symbolizing 'one five nine' which phonetically relates to poverty in Chinese. Used humorously or sarcastically.
This month, I'm again in a tough economic situation; I'm out of money.
Translates to 'small complaints.' This term refers to minor grievances people share with each other, often in a light-hearted context. It emphasizes the human tendency to vent about trivial issues.
My small complaint about work is that I always have to work overtime.
Meaning 'tired but not satisfied', this phrase is used to describe a situation where someone feels exhausted without experiencing fulfillment. It's relatable to many who feel overworked yet unaccomplished.
Even though work was busy this week, I still feel tired but unsatisfied.
The term 'salty fish life' describes a laid-back attitude towards life, where one opts for a low-pressure existence, often in contrast to overly ambitious lifestyles. It reflects a sense of contentment with mediocrity...
Recently, I decided to live a salty fish life and not work so hard anymore.
Translating to 'insert a needle into a gap', this term is used to encourage making the best use of available time or opportunities, often in a hustle culture context. It emphasizes efficiency in managing tasks.
You have to insert a needle into the gaps to get everything done amidst the busyness.
Translating to 'don’t touch my cheese,' this term humorously signifies not wanting to share one’s personal space or possessions. It expresses a protective attitude towards one’s belongings.
He always wants to use my desk; don’t touch my cheese!
Literally 'pot circle', it refers to communities or groups that are centered around a shared interest, especially in food or cooking. It emphasizes the importance of sharing and discussing culinary experiences.
We share new recipes in our cooking community.
This phrase translates to 'feeling a bit down today'. It's often used casually to express low mood or disappointment, resonating with shared feelings of melancholy.
I'm feeling a bit down today, nothing particularly happy happened.
To play a minor extra role — originally a theater term for bit-part actors. Now used for anyone who plays a marginal, unimportant role in any situation — meetings, group projects, social events.
In this project I am just a bit player — no decision-making for me.
Translating to 'ten thousand fires urgent,' this phrase describes a situation that requires immediate attention or action, indicating a high level of urgency.
I have something extremely urgent to tell you!
This phrase translates to 'to do something without prior agreement.' It indicates that two or more people have the same thought or action at the same time, typically used in social or fun contexts.
We coincidentally chose the same restaurant.
This term translates to 'unsatisfactory' or 'unfortunate,' often used to describe frustrations or setbacks in life. It reflects a resigned acceptance of difficulties.
Life always has its unsatisfactory moments.
Meaning 'lost' or 'confused', this term is often used to describe feelings of being directionless or unsure about one's life choices. It can refer to both personal and professional contexts.
Lately, I feel a bit lost and don't know what to do.
Translating to 'little monster', this term is often used endearingly to refer to children or pets that are mischievous or playful. It reflects affection mixed with a hint of exasperation.
My son is such a little monster; he’s always getting into trouble.
This term means 'to enjoy life,' emphasizing a positive and carefree lifestyle. It’s used to encourage others to make the most out of everyday experiences.
Life is tough, but we still need to enjoy each day.
Literally meaning 'online teaching,' this term became popular during the pandemic when many people turned to remote learning. It's often associated with both the challenges and creativity that emerged during this tran...
During the pandemic, everyone was taking online classes.
To Land on Shore / Made It Through
Three years of preparation and I finally made it — I got into Peking University for grad school!
Literally 'eating dirt online', this phrase humorously refers to being broke or financially struggling, often due to spending too much on indulgences. It reflects the modern consumer lifestyle.
I've been eating dirt online these weeks; I can't buy anything anymore.
To recommend enthusiastically - Strong recommendation of something you love, like MLM-level enthusiasm.
I have to recommend this drama to you, it is so good!
Translating to 'real strong person,' this term is used to describe someone who exudes authentic strength through resilience and perseverance rather than through mere bravado. It's a compliment that emphasizes inner st...
He is a real strong person who never shrinks back from difficulties.
Social death - Describes an extremely embarrassing moment in public that makes you want to disappear. Similar to 'I want to die of embarrassment'.
I was singing loudly on the subway and realized I wasn't wearing headphones. I socially died.
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