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 'instant removal', this term refers to the quick disappearance of a post or comment from social media. It is frequently used when someone regrets posting something and deletes it shortly after, especially in...
The post she just made was removed instantly; it seems she regretted it.
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.
Translating to 'perfect ending', this term is used to describe a situation or story that concludes satisfactorily, often bringing joy to those involved. It is commonly found in narrative contexts, especially in dramas...
This TV series has a perfect ending, and everyone is satisfied.
Literally meaning 'milk tea economy,' this term refers to the economic impact and popularity of bubble tea and similar beverages among young consumers. It symbolizes the spending power and consumption habits of the yo...
The milk tea economy is booming right now; everyone loves to drink it.
'Milk tea literature' describes content that is overly sweet, superficial, or trendy—often found in social media posts. It highlights the shift towards aesthetics over substance in online discourse.
This article is really milk tea literature; I gained nothing from reading it.
This term, which means 'little vest', refers to a secondary account or persona that people create, often for anonymity or to express different sides of themselves online.
I use a secondary account to express myself on the forum and protect my privacy.
This term translates to 'crazy killer,' used to describe someone who is extremely enthusiastic or excitable about something, often in the context of gaming or sports.
He's gone crazy in the game; it’s unbelievable.
Meaning 'catching a horse,' this is a humorous term used to describe a situation where something dramatic or shocking occurs, akin to ‘drama’ in English.
This variety show is so dramatic that I laughed until my stomach hurt.
Backdoor deal / nepotism / ass-kissing transaction — PY is a vulgar abbreviation for 屁眼 (pì yǎn, "a**hole"). PY交易 refers to shady deals done through personal connections, favors, or bribery rather than merit. Used to ...
This award is obviously a backdoor deal — has nothing to do with actual talent.
Refers to an informal theory about how when someone becomes famous or successful, the people around them suddenly become more supportive or affiliate themselves with that success.
After she debuted, all her friends suddenly became supporters of the Strong's Law.
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!
A playful term that refers to someone who is a great influencer or mentor, often used in a joking manner. It can imply a sense of admiration mixed with humor about their influence or advice.
When it comes to fitness, he’s truly my great mentor.
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.
Viral formula — the understood recipe for getting views and engagement on social media. Used to describe content that reliably goes viral: cute animals, rescue stories, babies, food. 雪山救狐狸 is often cited as an organic...
Rescuing animals is the strongest viral formula — works better than any ad.
Big Factory — slang for China's major tech giants: Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, Huawei, Baidu, Meituan, and similar companies.
He spent three years preparing and finally got an offer from a big tech company.
Going to zero - When a cryptocurrency loses all its value.
This coin went to zero, all invested money is gone.
This term literally means 'black talk' and refers to coded language or jargon used within specific communities, often used to convey insider information.
Do you understand this insider jargon? I'm still a bit confused.
This is the onomatopoeic representation of laughter in Chinese and is often used in digital communication. It indicates amusement or humor, similar to 'lol' in English.
What you said is so funny, I can't help but laugh out loud.
Though it translates to 'epidemic,' it is used in internet slang to describe trends or behaviors that spread rapidly among people, similar to how viruses spread.
This dance has recently become an epidemic; everyone is learning it.
Translating to 'hundred thousand whys,' this term is used humorously to express curiosity or endless questions about a topic. It's often associated with younger audiences and their inquisitive nature.
I have a hundred thousand questions about this topic.
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.
Meaning 'strong material,' this term is used to describe exciting or shocking news, often in the context of gossip or scandal. It conveys the sense of something juicy and worth discussing.
This news has too much juicy material; everyone is sharing it like crazy.
Translating to 'worship of happiness', this term denotes a culture or mindset that prioritizes positivity, cheerfulness, and personal happiness above all else. It often critiques superficial positivity that neglects d...
In this society of happiness worship, many people dare not express negative emotions.
This term translates to 'change name,' often used in online contexts when users change their usernames or online identities, reflecting digital reinvention.
I feel like I should change my account name to switch up my style.
Translating to 'plot twist', this term is used in discussing stories, movies, or dramas where unexpected changes occur. It reflects the audience's engagement with narratives that defy expectations.
The plot twist in this story took me by surprise!
Center Position / The Spotlight Spot
After a million fan votes, she finally took the center position and became the group leader.
Meaning 'big clearance sale', this term is often used in marketing contexts to indicate a significant price drop or promotion. It's commonly used on e-commerce platforms to attract buyers.
This brand's products are now on big clearance sale; come grab them!
Translating to 'the game crashed', this phrase is used in gaming contexts when a game encounters technical issues or crashes. It reflects the frustrations gamers experience, particularly in online play.
I was playing a game just now, and then the game crashed.
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.
Meaning 'Under the Spotlight', this term describes someone who enjoys being the center of attention or is always in the public eye. It is often used for influencers or celebrities.
She always loves a life under the spotlight.
Means 'to barge in', commonly used in online discussions and memes to refer to someone unexpectedly entering a conversation or scene, often leading to humorous outcomes.
The cat barged in during this video; I laughed so hard!
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 translating to 'strongly supporting', this term refers to advocating or promoting something, often excessively or in an over-the-top manner. It’s commonly used in discussions about influencers or celebrities.
Even though the drama is not good, he is still strongly supporting it.
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.
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!
Translating to 'Onmyoji', this term often refers to practitioners in Japanese folklore but is popularly used in gaming contexts, especially referring to players of the game 'Onmyoji'. It reflects cultural crossovers a...
Recently, I’ve become obsessed with Onmyoji; it’s such a great game.
All in / YOLO - Going all in on an investment, betting everything.
He went all in on Bitcoin with his entire savings.
Refers to the descendants of the Yan and Huang emperors, often used to express pride in Chinese heritage. It signifies a sense of unity among Chinese people, emphasizing cultural identity.
As descendants of the Yan and Huang emperors, we must inherit and promote Chinese culture.
Literally 'sweet pie,' this term is used to describe content or stories that are overly sweet or romantic, often to the point of being unrealistic. It’s a playful critique of sugary narratives.
The plot in this drama is just a sweet pie; it's too unrealistic.
Internal energy cultivation — the deep, invisible martial arts power developed through years of meditation and practice in wuxia. Online, used to mean the hidden depth or foundational skills that make someone genuinel...
His copywriting looks simple, but his internal energy runs deep — every word carries weight.
Translating literally to 'car sickness,' this term is used to describe feeling unwell in various situations, especially when overwhelmed by a lot of information or emotions.
The recent work pressure makes me feel overwhelmed.
Meaning 'brushing followers,' this term is slang for gaining followers artificially through means like buying followers or using aggressive marketing tactics. It implies a lack of authenticity.
This account increases its influence by brushing followers.
Borrowed from English, this term refers to the colorful icons used in digital communication to express emotions or reactions. They're widely utilized in chat apps and social media for more dynamic interaction.
Using emojis makes chatting more vivid and interesting.
This term means 'little cyber' and is often used to describe someone with an eccentric or quirky personality, similar to a cyberpunk character. It evokes a sense of uniqueness.
Her style is really little cyber, very unique.
Translates to 'uncanny valley,' used to describe the eeriness felt towards robots or animations that look almost human. It's often discussed in the context of technology and AI.
Seeing that robot, which looks almost human, made me feel like I was in the uncanny valley.
Literally 'giving away a person's head', this slang is used to describe situations in gaming where someone is easily defeated or gives up points to opponents, often in a humorous sense.
In this game, I really just gave away my points.
Literally meaning 'seeing makes me very happy,' this phrase describes something that causes joy or satisfaction upon seeing it. It’s often used for cute animals or heartwarming news.
This little dog is so cute; seeing it makes me very happy!
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?
Literally means 'to play King of Glory,' a popular mobile game in China. This slang term is used to describe someone who is addicted to gaming, often to the point of neglecting responsibilities.
He plays King of Glory every day and doesn't even do his homework.
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!
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