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 'postgraduate exam dog,' this term references students who are tirelessly preparing for graduate school entrance exams. It often reflects a sense of shared struggle and dedication among students.
As a postgraduate exam dog, I study at the library every day.
Translating to 'harvest,' this term is used metaphorically to describe reaping benefits or rewards, often after hard work or effort. It's popular in business and investment discussions.
After months of hard work, it's time to reap the rewards.
Translates to 'meme'. This term is used to describe humorous images, videos, or texts that are shared widely online, capturing popular culture or social commentary.
The recent memes are so funny; they make me laugh every day.
Translating to 'human world colored money', this term refers to the cash gifts given to performers or influencers, usually seen in live streams. It highlights the transactional nature of online interactions and the ap...
Her live stream receives colored money constantly; her fans are very supportive of her.
Translating to 'plot twist,' this term is often used in storytelling to describe sudden turns in narratives, especially in movies and dramas. It reflects the excitement of unexpected developments.
The plot twist in this TV show really surprised me.
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.
This term translates to 'losing followers' and refers to the phenomenon when a social media account experiences a reduction in its number of followers, often due to controversial posts or unpopular content. It reflect...
He recently posted some controversial content, which led to quite a few people unfollowing him.
Translating to 'society's livestock,' this slang refers to people who are heavily overworked, often losing their individuality to the grind of corporate culture. It humorously implies that individuals are like livesto...
I feel like I've become society's livestock, having almost no time to rest.
Translating to 'super invincible', this playful term is used to describe something that is exceptionally great or awesome. It conveys a strong sense of enthusiasm and admiration.
This game is super invincible; I can't stop playing!
Translating to 'Ark of Tomorrow,' this term refers to a popular mobile game that includes strategic elements and character collecting. It has a significant following in gaming culture.
I've recently become obsessed with Ark of Tomorrow.
Translating to 'brainwashing hit song', this phrase describes a catchy song that sticks in your head, often to an annoying degree. It conveys both admiration and frustration at the song's infectious nature.
This song is truly a brainwashing hit; once you hear it, you can't forget it.
This term means 'to clock in' or 'check in', commonly used for sharing experiences or locations on social media. It can also refer to marking attendance in a fun way, particularly in travel or lifestyle contexts.
I checked in at a new coffee shop today!
This term means 'black red', describing someone who gains notoriety or fame through negative attention or controversies. It emphasizes the paradox of becoming popular for not-so-positive reasons.
Even though she’s gained fame for negative reasons lately, her fans still support her.
DAO - Decentralized Autonomous Organization run by community voting.
DAOs let community members make decisions together.
Translating to 'trendy person,' this term describes individuals who are deeply engaged with fashion, lifestyle, and contemporary culture, often setting trends. It's used to denote admiration or envy of someone's style.
She’s truly a trendy person and always dresses in a particularly fashionable way.
Translating to 'traffic owner,' this term refers to individuals or influencers who generate a significant amount of online traffic or viewership. It's a term of respect and acknowledgment in the content creation commu...
She's a traffic owner; her videos always attract a large audience.
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.
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.
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.
This term translates to 'suicidal screen scrolling' and describes when someone excessively posts content or comments, overwhelming social media feeds. It conveys a humorous frustration about over-sharing.
He flooded my social media feed tonight; I can barely keep up.
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.
Literally 'Mandarin Duck Pot', this term refers to a type of hot pot with two different soup bases. It's used to express a preference for diversity or compromise in situations, especially in relationships or social ga...
Let's go have a Mandarin Duck Pot tonight; everyone has different tastes, and we can share.
Translating to 'reverse' or 'turnaround,' this term is used to describe unexpected plot twists in movies, shows, or real-life events. It's often used in reviews or discussions about storytelling.
The twist in this drama surprised me greatly.
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.
GameFi / Blockchain gaming - Games built on blockchain where you can earn crypto.
Blockchain games let you play and earn money.
Translating to 'horror movie,' this term has been adopted humorously to describe situations that are frightening or shocking, often in a comedic context. It's used to exaggerate mundane fears.
This movie was really a horror film; it made my heart race.
Translating to 'big melon,' this term refers to major gossip or scandal, especially regarding celebrities and public figures. It reflects the collective excitement surrounding significant news stories.
Today, a big gossip broke online, and everyone is discussing it.
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.
Translating to 'falling into a pit', this term metaphorically describes becoming deeply invested in a hobby or fandom, often to the point of obsession. It highlights the immersive nature of modern interests.
I accidentally fell into the pit; I'm completely addicted to this game.
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.
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.
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.
Literally meaning 'salt system', this term describes a style or trend that is characterized by coolness and a touch of sarcasm. It denotes a certain ‘sassy’ attitude and aesthetic.
His style is really salty, giving off a cool vibe.
Literally 'Little Red Book,' it refers to a popular social media platform in China focused on lifestyle sharing, particularly in fashion and beauty. It's often used interchangeably with the app's name.
I saw this new product on Little Red Book, and I think it's great.
Translating to 'high probability,' this term is often used to discuss likely outcomes in various situations, from decision-making to predictions about events. It conveys a rational approach to uncertainty.
The outcome of this match is likely to be a draw.
This slang term means 'to jump dance' and refers to going out to clubs or parties to dance, especially to electronic music. It reflects a youthful culture focused on nightlife and entertainment.
I plan to go dancing at a club this weekend to relax.
Translating to 'fight monsters', this term is used in gaming contexts to describe battling enemies. It conveys the excitement and challenges faced during gameplay.
I'm planning to fight monsters with my friends tonight.
This term means 'to become popular' or 'to go viral.' It’s used when someone or something gains sudden fame, especially on social media platforms.
This video went viral online.
Translating to 'to watch from the sidelines,' this term describes the act of observing a situation, particularly when others are involved in a conflict or drama, often without participating.
Everyone is just watching this incident unfold on Weibo.
This term translates to 'create jokes or memes' and is used to describe the act of coming up with humorous content or clever references, especially online. It reflects the creativity within internet culture.
He can always come up with jokes quickly, making everyone laugh out loud.
Translating to 'in front of the screen', this term refers to viewers or users who are engaged with content on their devices. It often addresses the audience directly in digital communications.
Dear friends in front of the screen, what do you think about this matter?
Translating to 'cultural export', this term refers to the phenomenon of promoting or sharing cultural elements, including music, fashion, or trends, to a broader audience. It's often used to highlight globalization.
The popularity of Korean dramas is a form of cultural export.
Gas fee - Transaction fees on blockchain networks like Ethereum.
Gas fees are too expensive, a transfer costs tens of yuan.
This term means 'stuffing money' and is often used to describe the act of spending money excessively, particularly to impress others or gain favor. It highlights consumerism and status culture.
He always likes to stuff money on luxury goods; he is really wealthy.
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.
Meaning 'super awesome', this term is an enthusiastic way to express admiration or appreciation for something, often used in reviews or recommendations.
This movie is really super awesome!
This term refers to a style or trend that enhances the mood or atmosphere of a social setting, often used in discussions about aesthetics in online content. It reflects the importance of vibe in video or photo sharing.
The aesthetic of these photos is great; it feels very atmospheric.
Translating to 'dynamics', this term is often used to refer to updates, posts, or news about someone, especially in a social media context. It’s used to engage followers and keep them informed.
She has posted many updates on social media recently.
Translating to 'having connotation,' this term is used to describe something or someone that is deep, meaningful, or intellectually rich. It is often used in discussions about literature, art, or personality.
This work is very meaningful and deserves to be appreciated repeatedly.
This refers to the popular video game 'Genshin Impact,' which has a massive following in China. It often symbolizes high-quality graphics, engaging gameplay, and a strong community of fans.
Recently, everyone is discussing the new character in Genshin Impact; we’re really looking forward to it.