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.
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 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!
Literally meaning 'archaeology', this term is used to describe someone who revisits old posts or trends on the internet, especially on social media. It reflects nostalgia for past trends or content.
I've been revisiting old videos lately; this content is really funny.
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!
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.
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.
This phrase translates to 'moving clouds and flowing water,' used to describe something that is smooth and natural, often in reference to performance, art, or writing. It suggests a graceful and effortless quality.
His speech was like moving clouds and flowing water, captivating the audience.
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.
This is a playful sound that mimics a sheep's bleat and is often used at the end of sentences to add a cute or soft tone. It can express uncertainty or cuteness.
The weather is really nice today, baa~
Translating to 'top-tier Weibo,' this term refers to highly influential or popular accounts on Weibo, regarded as trendsetters in the social media landscape.
Her Weibo account is top-tier, often leading trends.
Translating to 'under the spotlight,' this phrase describes being in a position where one is the center of attention, often used to refer to celebrities or public figures.
Under the spotlight, he always appears perfect.
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.
This term refers to someone who is overly obsessed with something, often used in a humorous or mocking context. It can imply that the person's passion has crossed into fanaticism.
He's really obsessed, he loves this TV show to the point of madness.
Translating to 'super awesome', this slang emphasizes admiration for someone's skills or abilities, commonly used in a casual context to express excitement or commendation.
His gaming skills are super awesome; he's practically a master!
Literally meaning 'fried chicken,' this term is a play on words for '超级' (super) and is used to express something being extremely good or excellent. It is often used to convey enthusiasm for something, like a movie or...
This movie is super awesome!
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 'you in front of the screen', this phrase is often used in content aimed at engaging online audiences. It creates a sense of connection between the creator and their audience.
Are you in front of the screen ready to step into this story together?
Meaning 'asking for collections', this term is commonly used by content creators to encourage viewers to bookmark or save their work. It reflects the desire for social media engagement and preservation.
If you like this article, please bookmark it!
Literally 'bubble head', this refers to a specific trendy hairstyle characterized by a short bob cut, often associated with youthfulness and fashion. It symbolizes a playful and stylish image.
She got a bubble head hairstyle and instantly became youthful.
Meaning 'fervor' or 'enthusiasm,' this term is often used to describe extreme excitement or passion for a trend, topic, or fandom. It can have both positive and negative connotations.
The fervor for this movie shocked me.
This term refers to the 'programming life' or lifestyle of programmers, often implying a humorous or exaggerated take on the challenges and quirks associated with coding and tech work.
As a programmer, my programming life is really tough.
Translating to 'echo', it refers to situations where one's words or opinions resonate with others, often used in discussions about social media trends or content that gains a lot of attention.
This video has a big echo; everyone is discussing it.
Meaning 'rookie' or 'newbie,' it is often used to describe someone who is inexperienced in a particular area, most commonly in gaming or learning a new skill. It can be used in a light-hearted manner.
I’m a rookie at this game; I’ve just started playing not long ago.
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.
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.
Gary Stu - Male equivalent of Mary Sue.
The male lead is a Gary Stu, can do everything.
You're right (often sarcastic) — abbreviation of 你说得对 (nǐ shuō de duì), literally "what you said is correct." Can be sincere agreement, but on Chinese internet it is almost always used sarcastically to dismiss an argu...
Sure sure sure, NSDD — you're the greatest.
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.
Seed phrase / Mnemonic - Recovery words for your crypto wallet.
Write your seed phrase on paper, do not store it on your phone.
Gold farming / Play to earn - Making money by playing blockchain games.
He earns thousands per month gold farming.
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.
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.
Literally 'young boys and girls', this term is often used to refer to teenagers or young adults, particularly in the context of discussions about youth culture, trends, and influences.
The young boys and girls had a big reaction to this drama.
Translating to 'algorithm recommendation,' this term is often used to discuss how social media platforms curate content for users based on their interactions. It reflects both fascination and frustration with digital ...
I really don't know why the algorithm recommendations always give me weird videos.
This term means 'science popularization' and refers to the act of making complex scientific concepts accessible to the general public. It's commonly used in educational contexts, especially online.
This channel focuses on science popularization, hoping everyone can understand science.
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.
Literally 'digging graves', this term is used to describe the act of reviving or bringing attention back to old topics or posts on the internet, especially when it resurfaces unexpectedly. It's often used humorously.
She was digging graves in the forum, finding popular posts from years ago.
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.
Airdrop - Free token distribution to wallet holders.
This project is doing an airdrop, go claim it!
Literally 'social networking site', this term refers to platforms like Weibo, Douyin, or WeChat. It underscores the importance of online interaction in contemporary life, emphasizing how these platforms facilitate con...
I share my life every day on social networking sites.
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.
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.
Translating to 'followers,' this term refers to people who follow a particular trend, celebrity, or influencer, often in a fanatical way. It emphasizes the nature of digital fandom and the impact of social media.
He has thousands of followers on his social media.
Translating to 'Werewolf Kill', this refers to a popular social deduction game where players role-play and try to identify who among them is the 'werewolf'. The game emphasizes strategy and social interaction.
Let’s play Werewolf Kill together this weekend!
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.
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.
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.
Meaning 'sense of technology,' this slang is used to describe something that feels modern and has a high-tech appeal. It's often used in discussions about design, fashion, or apps that leverage advanced technology.
This phone has a strong sense of technology; the picture quality is super clear.
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.
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