This section of the Chinese Slang Dictionary focuses on Internet Culture 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 'small screen,' this term refers to mobile devices or content viewed on smartphones, especially when comparing to traditional TV. It highlights the shift in how people consume media.
I prefer watching videos on the small screen.
Borrowed from English, this term refers to the colorful icons used in digital communication to express emotions or reactions. They're widely utilized in chat apps and social media for more dynamic interaction.
Using emojis makes chatting more vivid and interesting.
Literally meaning 'to open black,' this term is used in gaming to describe playing together with friends, often in a competitive or strategic manner. It's primarily used in multiplayer gaming contexts.
We plan to play together this weekend and have some gaming fun.
Translating to 'fashion dog', this term describes someone who is obsessed with fashion and trends, often trying to keep up with the latest styles.
She's definitely a fashionista, always at the forefront of trends.
Palace intrigue - scheming and drama in any social setting
The palace intrigue at our company is even more dramatic than Empresses in the Palace.
Translating to 'the entire internet,' this term is used to emphasize that something is widely known or discussed across various online platforms.
This issue is being widely discussed across the entire internet.
Literally means 'dreamy opening', it describes a perfect or ideal start to a situation, particularly in gaming or competitive contexts. It’s often used humorously to highlight fortunate beginnings.
In this match, I had a dreamy opening, taking an early lead.
This term translates to 'happy to eat,' reflecting a joyful approach to food and eating. It emphasizes the enjoyment of meals and food culture.
Tonight's dinner made me feel so happy to eat.
Translating to 'cloud high,' this term describes enjoying something vicariously, often online, without being physically present. It reflects engagement in online culture and social activities from a distance.
Even though I wasn’t at the venue, I enjoyed it vicariously through the livestream!
Literally 'cloud supervision', this term refers to observing or overseeing a project remotely, often used in the context of online livestreaming or social media updates where fans watch the progress of their favorite ...
I am doing cloud supervision in the livestream, helping her check the progress of her work.
Going to zero - When a cryptocurrency loses all its value.
This coin went to zero, all invested money is gone.
While it literally means 'status,' it refers to social media updates about one's thoughts, feelings, or momentary life events. It's often used in casual conversations about sharing or updating one's life.
Her status today seems not very good.
Literally meaning 'medicine water', this term is used humorously to refer to overly sweet or exaggerated content that is designed to appeal emotionally, often seen in films and advertisements.
The plot of the movie was really exaggerated; it felt like medicine water.
Translating to 'mass production,' this term describes the phenomenon of generating content quickly and frequently, often without much depth or quality. It critiques the oversaturation of low-quality media.
Many videos on platforms now are mass-produced and lack creativity.
Translating to 'fake foreign devil', this term refers to someone who pretends to be foreign or adopts foreign culture superficially, often for social status. It can carry a derogatory connotation when critiquing such ...
He always speaks English, what a fake foreign devil.
Noob chicken - A bad or inexperienced player.
I am a noob, do not curse at me.
Sense of redemption — the emotional uplift you get from witnessing or participating in a compassionate act. Became widely used after 雪山救狐狸 as a label for the specific emotional high of watching someone do something ge...
Seeing this video gave me a sudden sense of redemption — I felt like the world is still a good place.
Translating to 'iron powder,' this term is used to describe extremely dedicated fans or enthusiasts of a specific celebrity, brand, or product. It signifies a strong loyalty to their interests.
He is a die-hard fan of a certain idol and keeps up with their updates every day.
Referring to 'Jack Ma's return', this term describes a surprising comeback, especially in business or entertainment. It evokes the dramatic flair of unexpected success.
His idea feels like a surprising comeback from Jack Ma.
This term translates to 'crazy killer,' used to describe someone who is extremely enthusiastic or excitable about something, often in the context of gaming or sports.
He's gone crazy in the game; it’s unbelievable.
Translating to 'unreliable,' this term is used to describe people or situations that lack dependability or trustworthiness, often implying a sense of disappointment.
This news sounds unreliable; don’t believe it.
This term means 'to blow up,' used to describe something that has become extremely popular or viral, especially in social media or content creation. It indicates the explosive success of a topic or trend.
This video blew up overnight; it's unbelievable.
All in / YOLO - Going all in on an investment, betting everything.
He went all in on Bitcoin with his entire savings.
Literally meaning 'bankrupt', this term can also describe someone who feels financially drained after heavy spending, often humorously tied to shopping sprees or expensive hobbies.
This month I’m officially bankrupt; I bought too many things.
This term translates to 'private collection' and describes things, like music or media, that someone keeps for themselves, often referring to hidden gems that are not widely known. It evokes a sense of exclusivity.
I have some hidden music gems I want to share with you.
This term means 'super topic', referring to a specific fandom or community discussion thread on social media platforms like Weibo. It’s where fans gather to talk about their favorite celebrities or themes.
I saw many interesting discussions in a certain super topic today.
Translating to 'only wolf,' this term refers to a tough, single character, often evoking a sense of independence or resilience. It’s frequently used in gaming contexts to describe lone warriors.
He always acts alone; he's truly a lone wolf.
The term mimics the sound of something rolling or tumbling, often used to represent procrastination or an idle lifestyle. It can also describe a situation where things don't go as planned, adding a playful tone.
I rolled around all afternoon and didn't get anything done.
Translating to 'freebie group', this term refers to people who take advantage of free resources or services without contributing anything in return. It's often used in gaming or subscription contexts.
There are quite a few freeloaders in this game; everyone wants to enjoy without spending money.
Breaking out of the circle - Going mainstream from a niche community.
This song broke out, many people know it now.
Meaning 'tear apart', this term is often used to describe dramatic conflicts or public feuds, especially on social media. It emphasizes the public nature of these disputes.
This conflict really sparked a lot of discussions.
Literally 'crack open,' this term expresses feeling overwhelmed, often used when something shocking or humorous happens. It's akin to saying 'I can't even' in English.
Today's gossip made me crack up.
Literally 'to吸 (suck)粉 (fans),' this term refers to attracting followers or fans, especially in online contexts. It symbolizes the efforts influencers make to grow their audience.
His new video has been attracting fans really quickly.
Literally 'data killer', this slang refers to individuals or tools that disrupt or invalidate existing data trends, often used in marketing and analysis discussions. It highlights a disruptive impact on established no...
He’s a data killer, always finding new ways to overturn old data.
This term means 'ahead of its time' and describes something innovative or futuristic. It is often used to praise creative ideas or trends.
This movie is really ahead of its time; many of its concepts are very innovative.
Means 'complete the task,' often used in online gaming or social media contexts to describe fulfilling a challenge or achieving a goal. It reflects the gamification of social interactions.
I completed all my tasks today; it feels very rewarding.
Translating to 'ferocious dog,' this term is used to describe someone who is fierce, assertive, or formidable in a competitive environment. It carries a sense of respect.
In the competition, she performed like a ferocious dog.
Translating to 'Douyin little helper', this term refers to tools or features within the Douyin app that assist users in creating or editing content. It's often mentioned in discussions about social media strategies.
Using the Douyin little helper makes the videos more interesting.
Whale - A person or entity holding massive amounts of cryptocurrency.
Whales are selling again, the market will drop.
This phrase translates to 'this is awkward.' It's often used in a lighthearted manner when someone finds themselves in an embarrassing or uncomfortable situation.
I miscalled her name, and this is awkward.
Literally meaning 'fake lard', this term humorously describes something that is fake or not what it seems, often used in consumer contexts. It addresses issues of authenticity in products or experiences.
This skincare product really feels like fake lard; it has no effect.
Literally 'shock education', this term refers to using surprising or shocking methods to teach or convey lessons, often in media or online contexts. It's a humorous term for unconventional teaching methods.
The shock education in this video left a deep impression on me.
This number is used as a slang term representing various things, from '3-6-9' as a meme to signify mystery and unpredictability. It often pops up in humorous contexts.
He always likes to use 369 to tease everyone.
Literally meaning 'squatting at a spot', this term describes the practice of waiting for something to happen, such as a product release or an event drop. It's akin to being on high alert for something exciting.
I'm online squatting to wait for the release of the new phone.
Referring to a controversial group of private hospitals in China known for aggressive marketing and questionable practices. The term symbolizes skepticism about healthcare services.
Before seeing a doctor, make sure to check carefully; don’t just go to a random Puxian hospital.
Meaning 'perpetual motion machine', this term is often used sarcastically to describe someone who is overly energetic or continuously working without rest. It can imply that the person is exhausting to be around.
She's truly a perpetual motion machine, always busy.
Translating to 'growing grass', this term is used to describe a collection of items that one has acquired or plans to enjoy later. It's often used in gaming and entertainment contexts to express anticipation for conte...
I have a bunch of anime I want to watch when I find the time.
This term translates to 'team-building', referring to activities designed to enhance social relations and define roles within teams. It's commonly used in corporate environments, especially in discussions on workplace...
The company organized a team-building event to foster better relationships among everyone.
This term means 'to go online' or 'to be active on social media'. It reflects a cultural shift towards digital engagement and the importance of being present online.
When I went online in the afternoon, many friends came to chat with me.
This phrase means 'divergent thinking' and is used to describe a creative approach where multiple ideas are generated. It is often discussed in contexts of brainstorming or problem-solving.
During this meeting, we encourage everyone to engage in divergent thinking.
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