拔河 (bá hé)
Meaning 'tug of war', this term is used metaphorically to describe a situation where two parties are in intense competition or conflict over something.
The competition between these two companies is like a tug of war.
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.
Meaning 'tug of war', this term is used metaphorically to describe a situation where two parties are in intense competition or conflict over something.
The competition between these two companies is like a tug of war.
This term translates to 'sense of imagery' and describes a vivid and engaging visual representation, often associated with storytelling or artistic expression. It indicates a strong emotional connection to the visuals...
The sense of imagery in this book makes me feel very immersed.
Translating to 'hugging a big thigh', this slang means to seek support or connection with someone powerful or influential. It often implies relying on others for help instead of self-reliance.
He always tries to hug a big thigh; it’s really boring.
Translating to 'tool person', this term refers to someone who is used by others for their skills or abilities without much mutuality in the relationship. It often carries a negative connotation related to exploitation.
In this team, I feel like I've become a tool person.
Meaning 'little listener', this term is often used in podcast or live-streaming communities to refer to loyal fans or followers. It carries a friendly and endearing connotation.
Thanks to my little listeners for supporting me in making this show.
This term translates to 'reverse hype' and refers to the strategy of generating attention or engagement by downplaying something rather than promoting it. It's often used in marketing.
This brand attracted many customers through reverse hype.
Meaning 'grass planting machine,' this term refers to a person who continuously recommends products, influencing others to buy them. It often describes enthusiastic friends or influencers.
She is like my grass planting machine; she always recommends great things to me.
Fan Support / Fan Rally
The fans rallied through the night and finally pushed their idol past the kill line!
This term, meaning 'cloud raising,' refers to the trend of adopting pets or caring for virtual animals online, often through social media platforms. It's especially popular among those who enjoy the idea of pets but m...
I adopted a virtual cat online, and I send it pictures every day.
Roast / Complain - Making fun of or criticizing something.
I need to roast this design.
Digital collectible - The Chinese term for NFTs to avoid regulatory issues.
This digital collectible has a limited release of 10000 copies.
Translates to 'cloud pet', this term refers to virtual pets or pets that can be interacted with online rather than physical ones. It reflects a shift in how people engage with companionship in a digital space.
I've raised a cloud pet in the game; it's super cute.
Literally meaning 'to push a cart,' this term is often used to describe someone who is working hard to promote or support something, especially in business or online content.
He is a content creator who's really pushing his brand, gaining more fans every day.
Center Position / The Spotlight Spot
After a million fan votes, she finally took the center position and became the group leader.
Translates to 'popcorn,' used in online chats to indicate being entertained or watching a dramatic situation unfold. It suggests someone is enjoying the 'show' of events happening.
This TV drama is so good; it's totally a popcorn-watching pace!
Voldemort / He Who Must Not Be Named — used to refer to a person, brand, or topic that is too sensitive or taboo to name openly. Also used humorously for exes, rivals, or anyone someone refuses to acknowledge. The cen...
That account is Voldemort — everyone knows but nobody says the name.
Translating to 'Twitter-style', this term describes a brief, often sarcastic or humorous way of expressing thoughts or opinions, similar to the style prevalent on Twitter. It's often used in online discussions.
His comment is really Twitter-style humor.
Translating to 'little explosion', this slang refers to unexpected excitement or surprise, often used in the context of fun or thrilling moments online.
This video is so interesting; it’s simply a little explosion!
Pretty girl / babe / sis — MM can stand for 美眉 (měi méi, beautiful eyebrows / pretty girl) or 妹妹 (mèi mèi, little sister). Used to address or describe an attractive young woman, or affectionately among young women to ...
This girl's photos are gorgeous!
You're right (often sarcastic) — abbreviation of 你说得对 (nǐ shuō de duì), literally "what you said is correct." Can be sincere agreement, but on Chinese internet it is almost always used sarcastically to dismiss an argu...
Sure sure sure, NSDD — you're the greatest.
Rug pull / Run away - When project founders disappear with investors money.
The project team did a rug pull, all the money is gone.
Meaning 'happy twists', this term is often associated with humor and is used to refer to comedy productions or content that is particularly funny or entertaining. It emphasizes the joy and laughter that such content b...
This series is really 'happy twists', making me laugh non-stop.
Translating to 'netizen', this term refers to internet users who actively participate in online communities. It reflects the growing influence of online platforms and social media on public discourse and culture.
This issue has sparked discussion among a wide range of netizens.
Literally means 'rocket launch'. It refers to a situation that escalates quickly or an event that becomes very popular in a short amount of time.
His short video launched like a rocket and became popular overnight.
Translating to 'label party,' this term describes individuals who overly focus on labels or stereotypes in discussions. It is often used to criticize shallow thinking.
Such label party comments are too boring.
This slang is used to denote being 'cool' or 'awesome'. It sounds like the Chinese words for 'smooth' and is often used to compliment someone's style.
Your new hairstyle is really cool!
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.
Literally meaning 'invisible rich people', this term is used to describe individuals who appear ordinary but have significant wealth. Often used in discussions about wealth disparity and social status online.
He looks very ordinary; he's truly an invisible rich person.
Translating to 'Uncle Bird,' this term playfully refers to older men who act youthful or are involved in pop culture. It’s often used in a teasing manner.
This Uncle Bird's dance moves are really interesting.
Literally meaning 'to touch gold,' this term is often related to exploring or seeking out opportunities for wealth or success, especially in informal or unexpected ways. It is commonly used in discussions about seekin...
Young people are all trying to find ways to touch gold and look for quick ways to get rich.
Translating to 'top-tier Weibo,' this term refers to highly influential or popular accounts on Weibo, regarded as trendsetters in the social media landscape.
Her Weibo account is top-tier, often leading trends.
To grind - Playing games or working excessively until exhausted.
I grinded the game until 3am last night.
Translating to 'refreshing one's worldview', this phrase describes experiences or information that significantly change how someone views the world. It's often used after encountering surprising content.
This article really refreshed my worldview.
Translating to 'tribe', in internet slang, it refers to specific communities formed around shared interests or identities, often used to describe niches within social media platforms.
I joined a second dimension tribe, and everyone is really interesting.
Meaning 'seller's showcase', this term describes the often overly perfect photos posted by sellers online that illustrate how products look when they are advertised. It indicates a disparity between reality and presen...
The seller's showcase of this dress looks great, but it’s poor once worn.
Translates to 'hardcore.' It is used to describe someone who is extremely dedicated or serious about a particular interest or activity, often in gaming or fandom contexts. It implies a high level of commitment and exp...
This player is truly hardcore, playing games every day.
Meaning 'algorithm recommendation', this term discusses how content is suggested to users based on their previous interactions and preferences. It's a critical topic regarding user experience on social media platforms...
The platform's algorithm recommendations have shown me a lot of content I'm interested in.
Meaning 'that's right' or 'no doubt,' this term is used to express agreement or affirmation, often humorously to emphasize a point. It's very common in discussions across social media.
You’re right; this method is indeed effective.
Translating to 'plot twist drama,' this term is used to describe stories or events that take unexpected turns, often leading to surprising conclusions. It's popular in discussions about movies, shows, and real-life si...
This movie is truly a plot twist drama; the ending surprised me greatly.
Translating to 'Buddha jumps over the wall,' this term describes a luxurious, elaborate dish in Chinese cuisine. Online, it humorously refers to anything that is overly extravagant or luxurious.
This gathering was really extravagant; everyone was satisfied with the meal.
Riding the hype - Exploiting trending topics for attention.
He is just riding the hype.
Meaning 'nostalgia', this term is often used to describe fond memories of the past, especially relating to music, movies, and cultural phenomena from one's youth. It taps into the sentimental feeling of longing for si...
This song fills me with nostalgia.
Means 'trend' or 'fashion.' It signifies what's currently popular, particularly in fashion, music, or lifestyle choices. It's often used in discussions surrounding youth culture and consumer trends.
This is a new trend that everyone is chasing.
Translates to 'to play a role,' commonly used in contexts like role-playing games or acting. It implies engaging deeply in a character or persona, often for fun.
In this game, I like to play the role of a wizard.
This term refers to the popular Chinese short video platform, known for its engaging and often humorous short clips. The name itself has become synonymous with trending videos and entertainment.
I scroll through Douyin every day and can’t stop.
Refers to an informal theory about how when someone becomes famous or successful, the people around them suddenly become more supportive or affiliate themselves with that success.
After she debuted, all her friends suddenly became supporters of the Strong's Law.
Meaning 'guerrilla team,' this term refers to a group that engages in unconventional tactics, often used in marketing or activism contexts. It suggests creativity and flexibility in approach.
Our guerrilla marketing team is very active on social media.
Literally means 'to tan,' used to refer to someone getting darker due to sun exposure. It can also signify someone who enjoys showing off their summer adventures or leisure activities online.
I got tanned this summer, really happy about it.
Translating to 'explode', this term is used to describe something that is incredibly exciting or impressive, often in the context of events or performances. It reflects a strong sense of liveliness and enthusiasm.
This performance is simply explosive! The audience went wild.
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.
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