电子榨菜 (diànzǐ zhàcài)
Digital side dish; addictive short-form content watched during meals
I have to scroll some short videos while eating — otherwise something feels missing.
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.
Digital side dish; addictive short-form content watched during meals
I have to scroll some short videos while eating — otherwise something feels missing.
Translating to 'hot memes', this term refers to trending or popular memes circulating on social media, often reflecting current events or pop culture.
This hot meme is really interesting; I've seen it several times in my friend circle.
Dirty old pervert / horny person — abbreviation of 老色批 (lǎo sè pī). Originally described a lecherous older man, but now used affectionately or self-mockingly by young people online to describe anyone acting thirsty or...
You LSP — you always freeze up the moment you see a pretty girl!
Translates to 'high-energy warning'. It is used to signal that something exciting or shocking is about to happen, often before a funny or dramatic story or video. This phrase is well-liked in meme culture.
Next is a high-energy warning; are you all ready to laugh?
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!
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.
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 phrase means 'narrowly defined real fragrance' and is used humorously to express unexpected appreciation for something initially dismissed. It indicates a change of heart towards something that turns out to be en...
I’ve started to feel that this song is really nice; it’s unexpectedly enjoyable!
Translates to 'popcorn,' used in online chats to indicate being entertained or watching a dramatic situation unfold. It suggests someone is enjoying the 'show' of events happening.
This TV drama is so good; it's totally a popcorn-watching pace!
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.
Translating to 'unreliable,' this term is used to describe people or situations that lack dependability or trustworthiness, often implying a sense of disappointment.
This news sounds unreliable; don’t believe it.
Literal translation means 'to eat by face,' referring to individuals whose attractiveness plays a crucial role in their success, especially in entertainment or social media contexts. It implies that appearance matters...
In this industry, many people succeed based on looks.
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.
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.
Meaning 'European luck', this term is used to describe someone who has good luck or favorable outcomes, particularly in games or competitions. It's often used light-heartedly to tease someone who has had a streak of g...
I always have good luck in the lottery; I'm really fortunate.
This term means 'to monetize', typically used in discussions of turning one's skills, hobbies, or social media presence into revenue. It reflects a growing culture of entrepreneurship among young people.
She successfully monetized her social media presence and made a lot of money.
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.
Translating to 'invincible in the human world', this term is used to describe something or someone that is exceptionally impressive or unbeatable in a fun way. It often appears in competitive contexts or comebacks.
This movie is truly invincible in the human world!
Literally 'technology homebody,' this term describes someone who is very much into technology, often at the expense of socializing. It reflects a fascination with gadgets, gaming, and online communities.
He's a tech homebody, almost playing every newly released game daily.
Hurry up / get on with it / let's go — abbreviation of 搞快点 (gǎo kuài diǎn), a Cantonese-influenced expression meaning "do it faster." Used to urge someone to speed up, often impatiently or excitedly.
The updates are so slow — GKD, hurry up!
Literally translates to 'water things,' it describes spreading rumors or gossip that lacks substance. It’s often used to call out baseless claims.
The rumors you've heard are completely unreliable.
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.
Translates to 'unboxing,' this term describes the trend of opening products in front of an audience, often seen in videos. It reflects consumer culture and the excitement surrounding new products.
I will be live-streaming an unboxing today, showcasing my newly bought tech products.
Empathy — the ability to share and understand another's feelings. Used in discussions of viral emotional content to describe why something spread: 雪山救狐狸 triggered mass 共情 in viewers who felt what the fox or the rescue...
The reason this video went viral is because everyone felt a strong empathy with the fox.
Meaning 'your ears are pregnant', this phrase is humorously used to describe music or sounds that are so good, they elicit a strong emotional response. It’s a playful way to convey musical enjoyment.
This song is so good, it's like my ears are pregnant!
This term means 'to enlighten or educate,' often used in contexts where information is shared to clear up misunderstandings. It's akin to giving a crash course on a topic.
Let me enlighten you on this hot topic.
Literally means 'let's understand each other a bit'. It's a popular phrase used to introduce topics or content that someone thinks is worth checking out. It has a casual tone and often accompanies recommendations.
You guys should check out this new show; it’s really good!
Meaning 'to defeat,' this term is often used to express triumph over challenges or competitors. It can be used in both serious and humorous contexts.
I defeated all my opponents in this exam!
Far ahead of the competition; leagues ahead
The new Huawei phone is leagues ahead of the competition!
This term literally means 'to go to and from work' and often represents the daily grind of commuting and working life. It illustrates the routine that many people follow during weekdays.
I spend two hours commuting to and from work every day.
Meaning 'African rainbow,' this slang is used to humorously describe something that is unexpectedly vibrant or colorful, often in a surprising or ironic way. It highlights creativity in expression.
His outfit combination is truly an African rainbow; it’s so cool!
Translating to 'carnival,' this term is used to describe wild, festive parties or celebrations that are marked by unrestrained fun and enthusiasm. It's common in social media discussions about nightlife or events.
There's a carnival this weekend; everyone come join!
Translating to 'little explosion', this slang refers to unexpected excitement or surprise, often used in the context of fun or thrilling moments online.
This video is so interesting; it’s simply a little explosion!
Translating to 'water post,' this term refers to low-quality or meaningless posts on forums or social media, often intended to fill space rather than provide valuable content. It's a critique of poor engagement.
I don’t want to post meaningless content; let’s write something with depth.
This term means 'social media' and is used to describe various online platforms where users interact, share content, and build communities. It reflects the modern way people connect and communicate in the digital age.
Social media has changed the way we communicate.
Of all martial arts under heaven, only speed is unbreakable. A famous wuxia maxim used online to justify doing anything fast — fast replies, fast shipping, fast food, fast decisions — with mock martial-arts gravitas.
For food delivery, the only unbreakable skill is speed.
Translating to 'fake foreign devil', this term refers to someone who pretends to be foreign or adopts foreign culture superficially, often for social status. It can carry a derogatory connotation when critiquing such ...
He always speaks English, what a fake foreign devil.
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 'melon crowd', this term refers to people who are interested in gossip or drama but are not directly involved, akin to spectators.
This debate attracted a lot of melon crowd.
Literally meaning 'check the water meter', this term has become a euphemism for someone coming to check on you when you’re not supposed to be doing something, often implying an unwelcome intrusion.
You've been working from home too long, and now a friend comes to check on you; it’s really inconvenient.
To be honest / let's call it what it is — signals you are about to say something direct, unfiltered, and true, even if it is not what people want to hear. Essentially a verbal warning: what follows is the unvarnished ...
To be honest, this plan really does not work — we need to rethink it.
This term refers to 'emoji memes', which are memes that use emojis to convey humor or express feelings. It highlights how emojis have become integral in modern communication.
I like to use emoji memes to express my feelings.
Translating to 'increase knowledge,' this term is used to describe a situation where someone learns something new and interesting, often in an enlightening or surprising context. It's a positive expression of growth o...
Reading this article really increased my knowledge; I learned a lot of new things.
Literally meaning 'big move,' this term is primarily used in gaming to refer to a powerful skill or ability that can turn the tide of a battle. It's also used metaphorically in other contexts to describe a significant...
He used a big move in the match and turned the situation around.
Refers to a significant historical incident in Chinese history, but in internet slang, it has come to symbolize unexpected twists or turns in events, often used humorously.
The result of this match was really an unexpected twist!
Literally meaning 'medicine water', this term is used humorously to refer to overly sweet or exaggerated content that is designed to appeal emotionally, often seen in films and advertisements.
The plot of the movie was really exaggerated; it felt like medicine water.
This term refers to 'mukbang', a trend involving hosts eating large quantities of food while interacting with an audience, popular on live streaming platforms.
I love watching mukbangs; I find it interesting to see others eat.
Meaning 'hot push', it refers to trending topics or content that gain sudden popularity, particularly on social media.
After this song became a hot push, everyone started discussing it.
Translating to 'the strongest on the entire internet', this term is often used humorously or boastfully to refer to someone or something that stands out significantly, often in a sarcastic tone.
He claims to be the strongest player on the entire internet, but he's actually just a newbie.
'Little blue man' refers to a user on social media who shares absurd or humorous opinions. It’s often used to describe meme creators.
The jokes from this little blue man are so funny that I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
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