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.
Internet Culture Slang Terms
Translating to 'online literature', this term refers to literary works published and shared online, often emerging from fan fiction or amateur writing communities. It emphasizes the democratization of writing.
Online literature is becoming more and more popular, attracting many young people.
Literally meaning 'to hit the liver,' this term refers to staying up late or working excessively hard, particularly in the context of gaming or programming. It often conveys a sense of pride in one’s dedication but al...
I stayed up late again to clear the level.
This phrase means 'to seek carrying,' often used in gaming contexts where players ask more skilled players to help or carry them through difficult stages. It's a playful, casual request for assistance.
This little noob is asking for a carry.
This term literally means 'to expose fraud.' It's commonly used to refer to the act of uncovering false claims or misleading information, especially in advertising or social media. It reflects a growing desire for aut...
With online shopping being so popular now, exposing fraud is very important.
Break even / Unbag - When a losing position finally returns to your entry price.
Finally broke even, held for two years.
Literally 'turn off the light.' Used in online contexts to signify leaving or quitting, especially on social media or during gaming sessions, often in a humorous way.
I'm about to turn off the light; I don't want to play anymore today.
Translates to 'internet slang' or 'network jargon,' this term refers to terms and phrases that are specific to internet culture. It highlights the rapid evolution of language in online communities.
Learning internet slang can help you understand how young people communicate better.
Translating to 'client end', this term refers to the user interface of an app or platform. It denotes the experience of interacting with technology from the user's perspective.
The client end of this app is very user-friendly.
Translating to 'fashion trendsetter', this term refers to individuals who are always ahead in fashion trends, influencing others with their style. It shows a blend of social status and style.
She is a fashion trendsetter; she always wears something fresh.
Literally 'reverse Spring Festival Gala,' this term is used to describe high-quality, often unexpected online performances or entertainment. It implies that there is a surprising or delightful turn of events that devi...
This program is truly a reverse Spring Festival Gala, stunning in ways I didn’t expect.
Translating to 'real cow,' this slang is used to describe someone who is truly impressive or outstanding in their field, akin to saying 'a real deal' or 'a real boss.'
He is a real cow in the game, with exceptional skills.
Translating to 'hamster jump,' this term describes a fun and energetic dance move popularized on social media platforms, often used in playful contexts.
In this video, she did the hamster jump, so adorable.
Literally 'mini version', this term is often used in a playful context to refer to something that is a reduced or cut-down model of a larger original, commonly used in references to products or phenomena.
This toy is a mini version of what I had when I was young.
Cyberpunk refers to a subgenre of science fiction that features advanced technology juxtaposed with societal decay. It's commonly used to describe a futuristic aesthetic or lifestyle, especially on social media, refle...
Today I wore a full cyberpunk outfit, feeling really cool.
Translating to 'working is tiring', this phrase reflects the exhaustion many feel from their jobs, often used to express solidarity among workers.
I was so busy at work today; working is tiring.
Literally translates to 'brainless fan.' This term refers to fans who support something or someone without critical thought, often blindly defending their idol or interest regardless of the situation. It's commonly us...
Some brainless fans only know how to attack differing opinions.
Borrowed from English, 'LOL' is used in Chinese internet slang just as it is in English, meaning 'laugh out loud'. It's commonly seen in chat and social media conversations, particularly to express amusement.
After seeing this joke, I just laughed out loud.
Literally translating to 'being cut like chives', this slang refers to investors or participants who suffer losses due to being exploited or manipulated, particularly in the cryptocurrency or stock market. It signifie...
Recently, I got cut like chives; it's really exhausting.
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.
Fan Support / Fan Rally
The fans rallied through the night and finally pushed their idol past the kill line!
Literally translating to 'breaking the dimensional wall', this term is used to describe crossing boundaries between different cultures or genres, often in fandoms. It reflects the blending of various interests.
This concert allows us to break the dimensional wall and experience different cultures.
Translating to 'headphone group,' this term describes people who prefer to listen to music or podcasts through headphones rather than engaging in conversations in public spaces, embodying a sense of personal space.
On the subway, I'm part of the headphone group; I love listening to music.
This term, which roughly translates to 'wet dad,' is used humorously among fans in the gaming community to describe a character or player who is overly emotional or behaves excessively in their reactions.
He is always so emotionally reactive in games, it's quite exaggerated.
Literally 'small theater', this term refers to a genre of short, often humorous skits or performances that depict relatable daily life scenarios, frequently shared on social media.
The performance in this small theater made everyone laugh out loud.
Listen to me, thank you — a viral song phrase used sarcastically or to hype someone up
Listen — thank you, you worked so hard today!
Translates to 'fill the gap,' often used to describe catching up on missed content such as TV shows, movies, or news. It reflects the need to be in the loop.
I've been catching up on this series lately; it's really good!
Translating to 'traffic', this term refers to online engagement, such as views, clicks, or user activity on social media or websites. It highlights the importance of user interaction for content creators.
This article has high traffic; everyone is discussing it.
This phrase means 'not afraid of hardship' and is often used to describe a hardworking attitude, especially among young people. It highlights determination and a willingness to put in effort.
As long as I am not afraid of hardship, I can achieve my dreams.
This term refers to a specific hair color resembling 'grandma grey,' which has become a trendy style among younger generations. It symbolizes a shift toward embracing unique, unconventional beauty standards.
Her new hair color is grandma grey, and it looks very fashionable.
Sybil / Multi-accounting - Creating multiple fake accounts to farm airdrops.
The project team is checking for sybils, many accounts got banned.
Meme / Running joke - An inside joke or internet meme.
This meme is too old.
Meaning 'explosive' or 'intense', this term is often used to describe something that is thrilling or shocking, such as news or performances that grab attention.
This news is really explosive; everyone is discussing it.
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.
Meaning 'ending,' this term is often used in narratives, movies, or dramas to discuss plot twists or resolutions. It reflects a desire for satisfying conclusions.
I think the ending of this TV series was a bit rushed.
Derived from 'cyber,' this term is often used to describe anything related to the digital or internet world. It's frequently combined with other words to signify tech-related culture or aesthetics.
The cyber style of this game is really cool!
This term means 'slippery fingers' and is used to indicate accidentally posting something online, usually when one meant to do the opposite. It often comes with a humorous or light-hearted connotation.
I just accidentally posted the wrong photo, how embarrassing.
Literally meaning 'pot lid head,' this term describes a hairstyle that is short on the sides and long on top, often associated with a particular style trend in youth culture. It represents a form of self-expression.
He recently got a pot lid haircut and looks really cool.
This phrase means 'high to the point of flying', describing a state of extreme excitement or enjoyment, often during parties, events, or while engaging in fun activities. It conveys enthusiasm and energy.
This concert was 'high to the point of flying', everyone went crazy.
This term means 'newbie' or 'rookie', often in a playful context. It reflects a sense of charm associated with being inexperienced, commonly used in gaming or online communities.
As a newbie, I have a lot to learn.
Translating to 'seeking the truth,' this term is often used in response to scandals or gossip, reflecting a desire for transparency and honesty. It shows skepticism towards surface-level information.
What’s the truth behind this incident? Everyone is seeking answers.
Literally 'monster,' this term describes someone who is extremely good at a skill or hobby, often used in gaming or competitive environments. It conveys both admiration and a tinge of fear regarding their abilities.
That player is truly a monster; they play so well!
Translating to 'main theme', this term refers to the dominant narrative or trend in society, often used in political or cultural discussions. It highlights the prevailing ideas or sentiments shaping public opinion.
The current main theme in society is calling for more inclusivity and understanding.
Meaning 'superpowers,' this term is often used humorously to describe someone who has extraordinary skills or talents, sometimes in an exaggerated way. It’s frequently seen in discussions of memes or social media trends.
He always shows superpowers in competitions.
Literally meaning 'update blog', this slang refers to increasing activity or sharing new content, particularly on social media platforms like Weibo. It suggests being proactive in engaging with followers.
Recently, I've been updating my blog every day, hoping to attract more followers.
Literally meaning 'salt selection', this term refers to curated or premium content that is of high quality. It's often used to promote exclusive or valuable information on social media platforms.
I've been watching some premium videos lately, and the content is really great.
Translates to 'deify' or 'canonize'. It's used to describe someone or something that has achieved legendary status or is being praised extravagantly. This is often used in the context of idolizing celebrities or influ...
This singer-dancer has been deified online.
Translating to 'funny,' this term describes something humorous or amusing, often used in the context of memes, jokes, or comedic content online.
This video is really funny; I laughed for a long time after watching it.
Meaning 'definitely correct', this phrase is used to express strong agreement or confidence in something. It’s often used to affirm statements or suggestions.
Doing it this way is definitely correct.
Meaning 'scene', this term refers to the visual or aesthetic presentation of something, particularly in social media. It emphasizes the importance of visuals and style in online content.
Her photos have a great aesthetic, attracting many people.
Translates to 'super capable', this term is often used to describe individuals who excel in their domains or possess extraordinary skills. It's used as a compliment in both work and social contexts.
She is super capable; she does well in all her projects.