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
Literally meaning 'holding a certificate to take up a post', this term refers to having the necessary qualifications or skills for a job or task. It's often used humorously to indicate that someone is underqualified o...
I'm just an amateur; even with a certificate, I might not do well.
This term means 'popularity king', referring to a person, typically an influencer or celebrity, who has a massive following and influence. It indicates someone who is widely favored by the public.
He is definitely the popularity king in this show.
Translating to 'programming ability,' this slang is often used humorously to refer to someone's technical skills, especially in coding, but can also denote general problem-solving skills.
This project really tested my programming skills.
Translating to 'traffic star', this term refers to celebrities or influencers who attract a lot of online attention, often because of their social media presence rather than traditional talent.
He can definitely be considered a traffic star now, with his fan count skyrocketing.
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.
Literally means 'Chinese standard'. It's used to refer to a certain level of quality or expectation, often humorously to downplay something that doesn't meet higher standards.
This dish is made to Chinese standards, though the taste is just okay.
Bronze - Lowest rank, used to mock bad players.
Your moves are so bronze level.
This term means 'live-streaming to sell goods' and represents the trend of influencers and sellers promoting products in real-time online. It's a significant aspect of e-commerce in China.
The live-streaming sales for this brand are very effective; sales are high.
Literally 'returning horse gun,' this term refers to a strategic move or comeback, often used in debates or discussions. It reflects tactical thinking and clever retorts.
He used a clever comeback in the debate to successfully counter the opponent's argument.
Shitcoin / Meme coin - Low quality cryptocurrency with no real value.
Do not buy shitcoins, they are all scams.
Translating to 'laugh out loud,' this term is commonly used in online comments to express that something is extremely funny and made one laugh audibly. It's often used in reaction to humorous content.
This joke is so funny that I laughed out loud.
Translating to 'explosive product', this term refers to items or content that become wildly popular and trend rapidly, often in marketing or social media contexts.
This phone is truly an explosive product; the sales are great.
Pay to win - Spending real money in games.
This game requires too much spending.
Translating to 'deeply meaningful,' this term is often used to describe statements or actions that carry significant implications or hidden messages. It is frequently used in discussions about art and literature.
The ending of this article was deeply meaningful; it made me think for a long time.
Literally meaning 'to explode the street,' this slang term refers to something that is extremely popular or trendy, often used when something goes viral.
This song exploded in popularity; everyone is listening to it.
Inscription / Ordinals - Data inscribed directly on Bitcoin blockchain.
Bitcoin inscriptions are very popular recently.
Literally meaning 'niche', this term is used to describe things that are trendy among a small, specific group of people rather than the general public. It's often used in discussions about music, fashion, or interests...
This song is very popular among niche groups.
Literally 'vulture tribe', this term refers to young adults who rely on their parents for financial support, often without making an effort to be independent. It reflects societal concerns about younger generations' a...
I have many vulture tribe members around me; I really don’t know when they will become independent.
This term means 'to watch the excitement,' referring to the act of observing events, often with a sense of curiosity or entertainment.
An accident happened on the street, and everyone is gathering to watch the excitement.
Dog blood / Melodramatic - Overly dramatic cliche plot.
This drama is too melodramatic.
Translates to 'home squatter.' It describes someone who stays at home all the time, often indulging in online activities or gaming instead of going out. It implies a mix of laziness and introversion.
Recently I've become a home squatter again, completely uninterested in going out.
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 'to seek victory in stability,' this phrase suggests a strategy of careful planning and execution to achieve success.
In investing, seeking victory in stability is a wise strategy.
Translating to 'one knife cuts', this term describes a situation where harsh or absolute measures are applied uniformly, without consideration for individual circumstances. It's often used in critiques of overly simpl...
This policy is a bit one-size-fits-all and doesn’t consider different situations.
Translates to 'pseudo-cultured youth'. It describes someone who pretends to be cultured or artistic but lacks genuine understanding or appreciation. It’s often used humorously to poke fun at people trying too hard.
He always claims to be cultured, but he's just a pseudo-cultured youth.
Literally means 'invincible wind fire wheel', this term is often used humorously to describe something or someone that is extremely powerful or fast. It has roots in gaming culture, where players may boast about their...
He performed like an invincible wind fire wheel in the competition, easily taking the championship.
Literally means 'to take off,' this term is used to express the idea of something skyrocketing in popularity or success, often in a fun or celebratory way. It can refer to trends, memes, or personal achievements.
As soon as this video was posted, it took off; everyone is talking about it.
Literally means 'internet celebrity face.' This term is used to describe people whose appearance is heavily influenced by social media trends, often implying they look overly edited or artificial. It's often used humo...
Her face looks like a typical internet celebrity face, with perfectly edited features.
Refers to team battles or coordinated group plays in online games, particularly in multiplayer formats. It's an essential tactic for victory and is commonly used in gaming circles.
Let’s team up tonight to try and conquer that dungeon.
Referring to 'Mr. Translator', this term is often used sarcastically to denote someone who provides translations or explanations for complex concepts or language. It can also imply a sense of over-explanation.
He always plays the role of Mr. Translator in the group, explaining some technical terms to everyone.
Translating to 'cloud gaming,' this term refers to playing video games via streaming services without the need for high-end hardware. It signifies the modern shift in gaming culture.
Many young people now play cloud games; they're convenient and fun.
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.
This term means 'to attract traffic', commonly used in marketing and social media to describe the process of drawing attention to a profile or product. It’s often used in discussions about strategies to grow online pr...
We need to attract more traffic to increase brand exposure.
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.
This term translates to 'unfollow' and is commonly used when someone no longer supports a celebrity or public figure. It reflects changing opinions and the fleeting nature of fandom.
She decided to unfollow because of some scandals, and everyone was shocked.
Meaning 'universally applicable on the internet', this term refers to memes or phrases that are widely recognized and used across different platforms. It highlights the viral nature of internet culture.
This phrase has become a universally recognized expression on the internet.
Translating to 'cloud raising', this term refers to the phenomenon of 'raising' pets or animals online without physically owning them. It reflects the way people engage with pets through social media and streaming.
I am 'raising' a cat online and check its updates every day.
Translating to 'beautiful person with a sweet voice,' this term describes someone who not only looks great but also has a captivating voice. It is often used in the context of singers or live streamers.
She is truly beautiful with a sweet voice; she captivates people when she sings.
Translating to 'watch my 72 transformations', this term refers to one’s ability to adapt to various situations or challenges, showcasing versatility and creativity. It is often used humorously in various contexts, inc...
Faced with different challenges, I can always showcase my 72 transformations.
Sybil / Multi-accounting - Creating multiple fake accounts to farm airdrops.
The project team is checking for sybils, many accounts got banned.
Translates to 'never say die', embodying a spirit of resilience and determination in the face of challenges. It's often used as a motivational phrase.
In the face of difficulties, we 'never say die.'
Meaning 'Douyin style,' this term refers to trends or styles that originated on the short video app Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), characterized by creativity, humor, and rapid-fire content.
His short videos are very funny; they truly embody the Douyin style.
Literally meaning 'going to sea,' this term is often used to describe someone who ventures into a new career or industry, particularly in a bold or risky way. It can also refer to entering the entertainment industry.
She decided to 'go to sea' and become a streamer, pursuing her dream.
Fans - Followers or admirers of celebrities.
She has many fans.
Meaning 'to give for free', this term is often used to imply that something is being handed out without value or effort. It's commonly used in gaming and social contexts to describe situations where rewards are easily...
There are so many free prizes at this event.
Translating to 'buying a ticket', it refers to someone trying to join in on a conversation or trend after it has begun. It carries a sense of awkwardness, as if the person missed the initial hype.
Are you trying to join in? This movie has been out for a while.
Literally 'pig teammate', this term refers to a teammate who is unhelpful or causes problems, often used in gaming or group settings. It humorously criticizes someone's lack of contribution.
This teammate is such a pig; he doesn’t help at all.
Meaning 'to agree,' this term is frequently used to express support or approval of someone’s opinion or statement online. It is a key part of the engagement culture on social media.
I strongly agree with your viewpoint.
Literally means 'little master of likes,' this term refers to people who are particularly good at gaining likes or approval on social media posts. It humorously highlights their skill at engaging audiences.
Every Weibo post she shares becomes a little master of likes; it’s really impressive.
This term translates to 'deduction games', referring to games that involve solving mysteries or puzzles through logical reasoning. These games are popular in both online and offline settings, encouraging interaction a...
We played deduction games over the weekend, it was so much fun.