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 'cloud cat raising,' this term refers to enjoying and following cat-related content online without having a pet. It’s a fun way to express love for animals virtually.
I just love cloud cat raising; I don’t really want to raise a real cat.
Meaning 'replicate' or 'reproduce', this term is often used in the context of fashion, art, or gaming, indicating the act of recreating a popular style or concept. It reflects a trend towards nostalgia and homage.
These shoes are replicas of a classic model, and everyone loves them.
This term means 'to rhyme', often used in creative writing contexts such as poetry or song lyrics. It indicates the creative process of making words sound harmonious.
His lyrics always rhyme; they sound very smooth.
The term means 'to pin at the top.' It refers to the act of keeping a post or message at the top of a social feed to ensure visibility, often used in online forums or social media.
I pinned this message to the top; everyone come and check it out!
Literally ‘to advance levels’, this term is used to describe achieving a new level of success or accomplishment, particularly in gaming or professional contexts. It conveys a sense of progress and achievement.
I finally leveled up in the game, and it feels amazing.
Literally meaning 'top stream', this term refers to the most popular or trending personalities, whether in entertainment, gaming, or other fields. It denotes those who are currently gaining significant attention and i...
She’s the top trend right now; all brands want her to endorse them.
Translates to 'experienced driver.' It is used to refer to someone who is very knowledgeable or skilled, especially in a humorous or cheeky context. Often used to describe people with a lot of experience in relationsh...
He is really an experienced driver, knowing how to deal with these complex matters.
Literally meaning 'sleepwalking,' in internet slang it refers to a state of being mentally absent or not fully engaged in reality, often used in the context of being distracted by online activities.
I was totally out of it during class today; I didn't hear anything the teacher said.
This term means 'to eat vigorously' and is often used to describe someone who is enthusiastically enjoying their meal. It can also imply a sense of indulgence.
Seeing him eat so vigorously makes me want to join him.
Short for ‘暴力漫画’ (violent comics), this term refers to a genre of comics or animations that are over-the-top and often absurdly exaggerated in content. It’s a subculture often appreciated for its humor.
Recently, I've become obsessed with violent comics; I can't stop watching.
Translating to 'aesthetic fatigue,' this term describes the feeling of being overwhelmed or bored by a repetitive style or trend. It reflects the fast-changing nature of beauty standards in media.
Today's fashion makes me feel aesthetic fatigue; it’s always the same style.
Meaning 'anti-fraud', this term is commonly used to discuss measures and awareness about online scams and fraudulent schemes. It reflects growing concerns about online security.
We should enhance our anti-fraud awareness to protect our information.
'Douyin fever' pertains to the viral trends and phenomena originating from the Douyin platform. It describes the widespread popularity of certain challenges or dances that capture the public's attention.
I've already learned this dance that went viral on Douyin!
Translating to 'key focus', this term is used to highlight something that deserves special attention. It's commonly utilized in posts that emphasize important updates or news.
This project is our key focus; everyone needs to work hard.
This term combines 'Twitter' and 'Douyin' to describe a situation where content goes viral across different social media platforms, especially overlapping trends. It's indicative of the interconnected nature of contem...
This challenge has gone viral on both Twitter and Douyin.
Translating to 'Attack on Titan,' this phrase is often used humorously in discussions about overwhelming challenges or fierce competition, referencing the popular anime. It embodies a fighting spirit in the face of ad...
In this competition, I feel like I'm the Attack on Titan.
'Take me along' is often used in gaming or social media contexts when a user seeks help or companionship. It conveys a desire to join in or be included.
I'm just starting to play this game, take me along!
Meaning 'to unsubscribe' or 'unfollow,' this term is commonly used on social media platforms to indicate stopping following someone or removing connections.
I'm not interested in his new updates, so I decided to unfollow.
The term 'kuqi' has evolved to express a feeling of being moved to tears, usually from happiness or overwhelming emotions. It is often used in response to content that touches one's heart.
I can't help but cry after watching this video.
This phrase means 'to gnaw on the old' and refers to adult children who rely financially on their parents instead of being independent. It often carries a negative connotation and reflects societal concerns about yout...
Some young people rely on their parents and have no intention of finding a job.
Literally meaning 'copy,' this term is often used in gaming contexts to refer to instances or missions that players repeat to gain more experience or items. It may also imply redundancy.
I updated the copy in the game.
Layer 2 - Scaling solutions built on top of main blockchains.
Transferring on Layer 2 networks is much cheaper.
Literally meaning '2D culture,' this term refers to the culture surrounding anime, manga, and video games, especially popular among youth. It’s often used to describe a community of fans.
He is a fan of 2D culture and goes to anime conventions every year.
Referring to a 'prosperous era,' it's often used ironically to describe situations where things seem overly perfect or exaggeratedly good, contrasting with reality.
They always say this is a prosperous era, but in reality, life is not that great.
Translating to 'harsh living,' this term is used to describe a tough or relentless lifestyle, often in the context of working hard or facing life's challenges head-on without complaints.
Life is truly harsh, but there’s no choice.
Translating to 'have flown up', this term is used to describe a situation where something has suddenly become very popular or successful. It reflects a sense of astonishing success.
As soon as the song was released, it became very popular; everyone is listening.
Translating to 'emoji package,' it refers to a collection of stickers or expressive graphics used in messaging. It is a popular way to convey emotions or reactions in a fun and expressive manner in text conversations.
I sent some funny emoji packages in the chat.
Translating to 'distinct styles', this term indicates that various people or things have noticeably different traits or characteristics. It's commonly used in discussions about fashion, art, or personal expression.
Their works have distinct styles, each with its own characteristics.
Literally 'magical realism', this term describes a situation where extraordinary events seem normal or commonplace, especially in the context of social media. It often reflects how bizarre or surreal events are treate...
This situation is pure magical realism; I can't believe it.
Meaning 'divine comment', this term describes exceptionally witty or insightful comments made about content online. It's often used to highlight humorous or clever takes in discussions.
The divine comments under this article made me laugh.
Translating to 'fatalism', it reflects the belief that events are predetermined and unavoidable. This term is often used in discussions about life choices and destiny.
I always feel that our lives are arranged by fatalism.
Translating to 'the first bird that sticks its head out gets shot', this slang warns against standing out too much or taking risks in risky situations. It serves as advice to keep a low profile.
Be careful in the workplace; the first bird that sticks its head out gets shot.
Translating to 'shortened version,' this term is used to describe someone or something that is a simpler or condensed version of a more complex original. It's often used in discussions about content or summaries.
This article has a shortened version for easier understanding.
Metaverse - Virtual worlds built on blockchain technology.
Houses in the metaverse are more expensive than in real life.
The phrase 'mindless binge-watching' refers to the act of watching multiple episodes of a TV series without much thought. It often conveys a sense of escapism, where viewers indulge in narratives to temporarily forget...
On weekends, I just want to binge-watch mindlessly, with no interest in doing anything else.
Translating to 'human-shaped chess,' it's used to describe someone who isn't actively participating in a conversation but is merely present, akin to a spectator. It humorously implies a lack of engagement.
Today, I just want to be a human-shaped chess piece and stay quiet.
Translating to 'low-key luxury,' this term describes an understated style or behavior that exudes elegance without being ostentatious. It's often used in fashion and lifestyle contexts.
Her style is low-key luxury, definitely eye-catching.
Meaning 'to flip windows', this term describes quickly switching between different perspectives or topics, often in conversations. It conveys a sense of agility in communication.
When we discuss, we always switch topics quickly.
Meaning 'cloud travel,' this term refers to enjoying travel experiences online, such as virtual tours or travel vlogs, particularly during times when physical travel is restricted. It reflects a newfound way of experi...
During the pandemic, I could only rely on cloud travel to satisfy my desire to travel.
Meaning 'wave of unemployment,' this term describes the current trend of rising unemployment rates, often used in discussions about economic conditions. It reflects societal concerns about job markets.
The recent wave of unemployment has made many young people anxious.
'Working is not easy' is a phrase expressing the hardships and struggles individuals face in the workplace, often resonating with many young professionals.
With the rising cost of living, working is not easy.
Meaning 'forum', this term is used to describe online discussion platforms where people gather to talk about various topics. It embodies the spirit of community and sharing ideas.
I found many like-minded friends on the forum.
Literally 'brain hole,' this term refers to a sudden burst of creative or outrageous ideas. It's often used in contexts where someone shares wild theories or imaginative concepts, particularly in fandoms.
His imagination is just too wild!
Meaning 'big flip of the car', this term is used to describe a major failure or blunder, often one that attracts a lot of attention or creates a significant stir online. It's a more dramatic version of '翻车'.
His live stream was a major failure; the audience left in droves.
Translating to 'attention economy', this term refers to the competition for human attention in a media-saturated world, where engagement is a valuable commodity. It's often discussed in the context of social media and...
In this age of attention economy, we must learn to capture the audience's attention.
This term translates to 'let's have a shot' and is often used in gaming contexts to refer to taking a chance or attempting something bold. It signifies encouragement to go for it.
Let's have a shot at this battle!
King / Champion - Top tier, from Honor of Kings game rank.
He is at king rank.
Literally meaning 'burning explosion,' this slang is used to express excitement about something outstanding or crazy, like a performance or a popular trend. It captures the feeling of adrenaline and enthusiasm.
This performance was absolutely amazing; the whole audience was screaming!
Translates to 'dive in', this term describes a fervent approach to tackling a situation or challenge, often with enthusiasm and energy. It's commonly used in competitive contexts.
Facing this project, we must dive right in.
Translating to 'imitation show', this term refers to events or performances where individuals imitate others, often celebrities, in a humorous or entertaining manner. It’s a staple in variety shows.
Many variety shows recently featured imitation acts that made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt.