路人 (lù rén)
Passerby - Someone neutral, neither fan nor hater.
I am just a passerby for this celebrity.
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.
Passerby - Someone neutral, neither fan nor hater.
I am just a passerby for this celebrity.
Snow Mountain Fox Rescue — the viral 2024-2025 video of a person rescuing a fox trapped in snow on a Tibetan plateau mountain. Now used as shorthand for any genuinely heartwarming rescue story that goes massively vira...
This video is a true Snow Mountain Fox Rescue moment — my eyes were red after watching it.
Literally means 'melon', but it is slang for gossip or juicy news, often about celebrities or trending topics. It conveys a sense of curiosity about unfolding stories.
Did you hear? There's another juicy gossip about to break!
Translating to 'Douyin dance', this term refers to the popular dance trends seen on the Douyin platform, often involving specific choreographies that go viral. It represents a blend of entertainment and social media c...
I'm learning the latest Douyin dance; it's so much fun!
Guys, who gets it?! / Family, can anyone relate?
Guys, can anyone relate?! My boss actually praised me today!
Bye bye! — 886 sounds like 拜拜了 (bāi bāi le), an enthusiastic farewell. A playful numeric shorthand for goodbye used in text chats and online messages.
Okay I'm going to sleep — bye bye~
Idol - A beloved celebrity, from English idol.
My idol released a new song.
Windfall of fame/opportunity; a viral moment of sudden riches or attention
That collab was a total windfall — the brand blew up overnight.
An emoticon representing a person kneeling down in despair or surrender, it conveys feelings of defeat or admiration. It's widely used in online conversations to express strong emotions.
Seeing your achievement, I’m truly speechless, orz.
Mouth substitute - Someone who says exactly what you're thinking. When you see a comment or statement that perfectly expresses your own opinion.
This blogger is my mouth substitute, they said exactly what I think!
Literally 'Daddy Ma', it refers to Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, often used humorously or affectionately in discussions about wealth and business. It reflects admiration or critique toward successful entrepreneurs.
Daddy Ma's business ideas are always so avant-garde.
Literally 'to crush', this term is used in competitive contexts to describe overwhelming victory over opponents, often in sports or gaming. It suggests dominance in performance.
They crushed their opponents in the match; it was without suspense.
A phonetic abbreviation originally from English 'OK,' this term is used to express agreement or approval. It reflects a casual and trendy way of communicating.
I think this idea is perfectly fine.
Short for 笑死我了 (xiào sǐ wǒ le) — "I am dying of laughter," the Chinese equivalent of lmao or lol. Used in response to something genuinely funny or absurd. Like most internet abbreviations, it is often typed even when ...
This video is way too funny — I am dying of laughter, my stomach hurts.
WTF / damn it / f**k — abbreviation of 他妈的 (tā mā de), literally "his mother's." The most commonly used Chinese expletive online, softened to initials to bypass censorship filters and make it slightly more socially ac...
WTF, the damn internet cut out again!
The Study of Zhen - the tongue-in-cheek academic discipline of analyzing 甄嬛传
Zhen scholars have already identified seventeen distinct meanings in that one glance.
Translating to 'social cow', this humorous term refers to people who have a significant influence or power in social settings or networks. It implies a person’s ability to command attention and respect.
In this circle, he is definitely a social influencer.
An exclamation of excitement or hype — the Chinese internet equivalent of "Let's go!" or "Woo-hoo!" Although 芜湖 is a real city in Anhui province, it was hijacked as a viral meme sound effect and is now used purely to ...
We won! Let's gooo, we are taking off!
Translating to 'information gap', this term describes the phenomenon when one party has more or better information than another, often leading to advantages or misunderstandings.
Due to the information gap, he made the wrong decision.
Lying flat - a lifestyle philosophy of doing the bare minimum, rejecting the pressure to constantly strive for more. A counter-movement to '内卷' (involution).
I've decided to lie flat, I don't want to compete anymore.
This term describes a subculture known for its distinctive, flamboyant fashion and hairstyle, often associated with youth rebellion or nonconformity. It embodies a unique aesthetic that stands out.
His style is so unique; it attracts a lot of attention.
Big brother / older guy (affectionate) — GG stands for 哥哥 (gē gē), meaning older brother. Used by fans to address male idols or by girls addressing older male friends affectionately. Also carries the gaming sense of "...
This GG (guy) is way too handsome — I'm instantly a fan!
The term '888' is an internet slang often used to express applause or encouragement, similar to saying 'good job' or 'well done.' It's derived from the sound of the word for 'bar' (发, fā), which is associated with goo...
Everyone's performance was excellent; well done!
Short for 真情实感 (zhēn qíng shí gǎn) — "genuine feelings / real emotions." Used to describe content or a reaction that feels truly heartfelt and sincere, as opposed to performative or ironic. Often said with mild surpri...
The article he wrote was so heartfelt — I was genuinely moved after reading it.
Waaah / crying — 555 mimics the sound of sobbing (呜呜呜, wū wū wū). Used to express sadness, disappointment, or mock-crying online. The more 5s you type, the more dramatic the crying.
Failed the exam, wahhh 555, I feel awful.
Literally 'too real,' this expression is used to describe something very relatable or genuine, often in response to life situations or feelings. It conveys authenticity.
This article is too real; it resonates with me deeply.
Exactly! / Precisely! — 9494 sounds like 就是就是 (jiù shì jiù shì), a repeated affirmative used to enthusiastically agree with someone. The doubling emphasizes strong agreement.
This boss is so stingy! Exactly, exactly!
Is it or not? / Right? — 484 sounds like 是不是 (shì bù shì), a common question tag meaning "right?" or "isn't it?" Used in casual texting to ask for confirmation or add a rhetorical question.
Don't you feel like there's been a lot of pressure lately?
This idiom means 'wealth and honor are sought in danger', emphasizing the idea that taking risks is necessary for achieving great success. It's often used to encourage daring actions.
To succeed, you must take risks; wealth and honor are sought in danger.
Beloved - affectionate pet name for anything precious or cherished
This kitty is my beloved — nobody is allowed to touch her.
Family members / fam — the way streamers, influencers, and content creators address their audience to create a sense of warmth and community. It makes followers feel like they belong to an inner circle rather than jus...
Fam, today I am sharing an amazing skincare tip with you all!
GOAT / legend / the best forever — abbreviation of 永远的神 (yǒng yuǎn de shén), meaning "forever the god/legend." Used to describe someone or something as the absolute best — the Chinese equivalent of GOAT (Greatest of A...
This drama is literally YYDS — cried every single episode!
Literally translating to 'must see,' this term is used to recommend movies, shows, or content that is considered essential viewing. It conveys a sense of urgency and importance in recommendations.
This movie is truly a must-see; it's so touching.
Translating to 'alternative,' this term is used to describe unconventional styles, tastes, or ideas, often in fashion or art contexts. It embraces individuality and nonconformity.
His fashion style is quite alternative, attracting a lot of attention.
This term refers to a binge-watching style where someone gets so engrossed in a series that they become 'paralyzed' and can't do anything else. It humorously highlights how addictive and consuming watching dramas can be.
This drama is so good; I binge-watched it all night until 6 AM.
Translating to 'lifting heavy as if light,' this term describes handling complex or difficult tasks with ease and confidence. It can be used to commend someone's skills or attitude.
She handles this project with such ease; it's impressive.
This slang refers to a type of popular food, often used humorously or in memes. It can also denote something that's fun or trendy.
The new dishes at that restaurant are delicious; it’s definitely on-trend!
This phrase means 'endless surprises,' used to describe situations that are full of unexpected delights. It conveys excitement and positive anticipation.
This event is full of surprises; there’s something new every time.
Translating to 'stream of consciousness,' this term is used to describe a style of writing or expression that flows freely without a strict structure. It often reflects personal thoughts and feelings.
His article has a stream of consciousness feel, making it very pleasant to read.
Protecting life — used both in its traditional Buddhist sense of non-harm to all living beings and as a modern hashtag for animal rescue and conservation content. Spread widely as a caption for wildlife rescue videos ...
This is a genuine act of protecting life — not done for views.
Translating to 'announce in advance', this term is often used when someone reveals information or news prematurely, typically before an official announcement. It can be humorous or serious, depending on context.
The cast list for this new drama was announced in advance.
This means 'crying emoji,' commonly used to express exaggerated sadness, humor, or dramatic reactions in conversations. It reflects a playful way to convey emotions online.
When I saw this bad news, I sent a crying emoji.
Going to zero - When a cryptocurrency loses all its value.
This coin went to zero, all invested money is gone.
Translates to 'unboxing,' this term describes the trend of opening products in front of an audience, often seen in videos. It reflects consumer culture and the excitement surrounding new products.
I will be live-streaming an unboxing today, showcasing my newly bought tech products.
This term means 'trend' and is frequently used to describe changes in culture, fashion, or social media. It signifies awareness and observation of current developments.
I enjoy keeping up with current trends, especially in the fashion industry.
Literally meaning 'ride the wind and break the waves,' this phrase conveys determination and courage in overcoming difficulties. Popularized by inspirational quotes and trending in motivational contexts.
On the path to pursuing our dreams, we must ride the wind and break the waves.
Translating to 'eating watermelon,' it refers to casually watching or observing drama unfold, especially on social media. It denotes a sense of detachment and amusement while enjoying the show.
Seeing their argument, I can only sit on the sidelines and watch the drama unfold.
Censored / disappeared / not found — borrowed from the HTTP 404 error code. In Chinese internet culture, 404 refers to content deleted or blocked by censorship. "404'd" means something has been scrubbed from the Chine...
That article has been 404'd — it's gone.
Bye bye — 88 sounds like 拜拜 (bāi bāi), the Mandarin phonetic borrowing of the English "bye bye." The quickest and most universal numeric farewell in Chinese digital communication.
Going offline — bye bye!
Referring to a 'fan circle,' this term describes the community of fans surrounding a celebrity or fandom. It often involves intense loyalty and interactions among members.
She joined her idol's fan circle, binge-watching dramas and voting.
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