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.
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.
Pretty girl / babe / sis — MM can stand for 美眉 (měi méi, beautiful eyebrows / pretty girl) or 妹妹 (mèi mèi, little sister). Used to address or describe an attractive young woman, or affectionately among young women to ...
This girl's photos are gorgeous!
Translates to 'cloud pet', this term refers to virtual pets or pets that can be interacted with online rather than physical ones. It reflects a shift in how people engage with companionship in a digital space.
I've raised a cloud pet in the game; it's super cute.
This term translates to 'girly boy' and is used to refer to men who exhibit traits traditionally associated with femininity. While it can be used derogatorily, it has also been reclaimed by some who embrace a more flu...
He likes to wear makeup; everyone calls him a girly boy.
Meaning 'lively' or 'agile', this term is used to describe someone or something that is dynamic, energetic, or charmingly animated. It’s often used in performance or artistic contexts to celebrate expression.
This dance performance is really lively and captivates the audience.
Meaning 'breaching a promise', this term is used when someone breaks a commitment or agreement, especially in a public context like partnerships or sponsorships. It conveys a sense of betrayal or disappointment.
His breach of promise left everyone disappointed.
This term is a playful way to refer to the person who posts content on forums or social media, often implying they are somewhat of a king or authority in the discussion. It reflects the hierarchy in online conversations.
The posts from the content king always attract attention.
Down to earth, grounded in real life — describes content, language, or a person that feels authentic and relatable to ordinary people rather than polished or out of touch. The defining quality of 张雪机车's appeal: she ta...
She speaks in such a grounded way — watching her videos feels like chatting with a neighbor.
Exposure freak; used to describe someone who enjoys sharing personal details, potentially too much, in public forums. It can be humorous or critical.
She’s really an exposure freak, sharing everything online.
Airdrop - Free token distribution to wallet holders.
This project is doing an airdrop, go claim it!
Translating to 'foreshadowing', this term is often used in storytelling to refer to hints or clues that predict future events. Online, it's also used to discuss plot twists in dramas.
The foreshadowing in this drama is really clever, building anticipation.
Translating to 'iron powder,' this term is used to describe extremely dedicated fans or enthusiasts of a specific celebrity, brand, or product. It signifies a strong loyalty to their interests.
He is a die-hard fan of a certain idol and keeps up with their updates every day.
Translating to 'short video powerhouse,' this term acknowledges China's rapid rise as a leading platform for short video content, reflecting on how the country has embraced and popularized platforms like Douyin and Ku...
China has become a short video powerhouse, with many creators shining here.
Literally meaning 'eating melon online', this phrase refers to the act of observing gossip, drama, or scandals on the internet without actively participating, akin to being a spectator.
I'm online eating melons on Weibo, it's so interesting.
Shaolin Soccer — Stephen Chow's 2001 breakthrough film combining martial arts and football. Used as a reference for any situation where someone applies completely inappropriate skills to solve a problem, or achieves s...
He used Excel data in his presentation to demolish the competitor's plan — pure Shaolin Soccer energy.
This term refers to the practice of 'anti-recommendation'—essentially warning friends against something instead of promoting it. It often indicates a critical view on something that seems overrated.
I would anti-recommend this movie; it’s really not good.
While literally meaning 'to fight,' this term is often used in online contexts to describe heated arguments, particularly in comment sections or forums.
There's another fight happening in that discussion forum.
Referring to 'cloud broadcasting', this term denotes streaming content over the internet, especially during events like concerts or live shows. It captures the growing trend of online participation in real-time events.
I streamed a concert at home last night.
Translating to 'surfing online', this term describes the act of browsing the internet, often aimlessly or for entertainment, similar to the English phrase 'surfing the web'.
Today, I was surfing online and found a lot of interesting content.
Translating to 'ride the hot spots', this term refers to the practice of taking advantage of trending topics or events to gain attention or relevance, especially in marketing and social media.
Many brands leverage hot spots to increase their visibility.
Iron Dummy — affectionate nickname for robots, especially delivery robots and service robots, that are visibly limited or fail in endearing ways.
That food delivery robot got stuck spinning in the doorway — what an iron dummy.
Smiling proudly through the jianghu — the title of Jin Yong's beloved novel about a wandering swordsman who refuses to be bound by any faction or ambition. Online, used to describe a carefree, unbothered attitude towa...
After quitting, I can finally smile proudly through the jianghu — no more rat race for me.
Meaning 'to question' or 'to doubt', this term is used when expressing skepticism about something, often in the context of discussions or news online. It reflects critical thinking in digital conversations.
I have some doubts about this news; I don't know if it's true.
Healing genre — a category of content or aesthetics with a soothing, restorative quality. Originally from Japanese iyashikei, it describes anything — videos, animals, food, slow life — that makes you feel calm and hea...
Snow Mountain Fox Rescue is typical healing-genre content — I felt much less stressed after watching.
This term means 'forwarding for a lottery' and refers to a common practice on social media where users share posts to enter a prize draw. It represents the interactive and promotional nature of social media.
There are many forwarding lotteries; I want to try my luck too.
This term is akin to saying 'so-and-so' or 'someone' and is used to refer to unnamed people or things. It often appears in discussions when the actual names or specifics are not relevant or known.
So-and-so said today’s meeting has been canceled.
This term means 'dark horse' and is used to describe someone or something that unexpectedly achieves success, especially in competitive environments. It emphasizes the surprise aspect of their victory.
This movie unexpectedly became a dark horse, surpassing box office expectations.
Meaning 'eye-catching' or 'striking', this term is used to describe something that stands out or is impressive, often in a visually appealing way. It's used to compliment design, aesthetics, or performances.
This design is really eye-catching and has attracted many people's attention.
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