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
To protect and guard — used as both a verb and a hashtag for content about protecting vulnerable things: animals, children, nature, traditions. Became a popular caption alongside rescue videos after 雪山救狐狸 circulated w...
We must protect every life, no matter how big or small.
Meaning 'creation' or 'to create,' this term is often used in the context of content creation on social media. It conveys the act of generating something new, whether it's art, video, or any other form of content.
I create new content every day to share with everyone.
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.
Literally means 'giant head' but is used to describe influential figures or companies in various industries, particularly in technology and finance. It indicates power and dominance in their respective fields.
This tech giant is changing the market landscape.
Using the English word, it refers to those individuals who are overly dramatic or emotional in their reactions. This term highlights the exaggerated emotional responses often seen in social media interactions.
His Weibo posts are like throwing a pile of hormones; it’s so exaggerated.
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.
Meaning 'verification,' this term is commonly used in online contexts where users get validated or certified, especially in social media platforms to indicate authenticity.
He just got verified, and his fans are all very excited.
Literally '宅男', this term is a play on 'otaku,' referring to individuals who are deeply devoted to their hobbies, particularly in gaming or anime, often at the expense of social life. It carries a humorous or self-dep...
I'm such an otaku; I stay home every day to play games.
Meaning 'short video traffic generation', this term is used in marketing contexts to refer to strategies that attract an audience using short video formats. It highlights the trend of using quick, engaging content to ...
We need to use short videos to attract traffic for product promotion.
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.
This term means 'light' or 'mild,' and it can refer to food that is not too rich or heavy. It's often used in culinary contexts to describe a preference for healthier or simpler dishes.
In summer, I prefer to eat lighter dishes.
Meaning 'bystander', this term describes someone who is merely observing rather than participating in a situation or event. It often implies a sense of detachment.
As a bystander, I can only quietly watch how things develop.
Translating to 'friend circle,' it refers to the social networking feature in WeChat where users can share updates and photos. It symbolizes the importance of social media in maintaining connections.
I just posted a new photo on my friend circle.
Translating to 'to use cheats,' this term refers to using hacks or cheats in video games. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone receiving unfair advantages in life.
He's using cheats in the game; it's so unfair.
Literally 'Street of Soul Guardians', this term refers to a popular online comic and anime series. It's also used metaphorically in discussions about themes of protection and loyalty among friends.
In the story of Soul Guardians Street, the power of friendship is incredibly important.
Translates to 'emerging from the void,' it conveys a sense of something or someone appearing dramatically or unexpectedly. It's often used to highlight something impressive or groundbreaking.
This new product emerged dramatically; it has revolutionized the market.
Literally 'Douyin brainwashing,' this term describes catchy content or trends on the Douyin platform that get stuck in one’s head, often referring to repetitive songs or memes.
I’ve watched this catchy Douyin video many times.
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.
Altcoin / Knockoff coin - Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.
Altcoins are very risky, be careful of going to zero.
This term means 'spoiler', and it refers to revealing important plot details about movies or shows. It’s often used in discussions about keeping surprises intact for viewers.
Don't spoil it; leave me some surprises.
Translating to 'hugging a big thigh', this slang means to seek support or connection with someone powerful or influential. It often implies relying on others for help instead of self-reliance.
He always tries to hug a big thigh; it’s really boring.
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.
This term literally means 'heat explosion' and is used to describe something that is extremely popular or trending, often used in the context of viral content.
This video has recently exploded in popularity.
This term refers to a specific genre of content on Douyin that is humorous or absurd, often involving remixing videos and sounds in a playful, exaggerated manner. It highlights creativity and humor in short video form...
These Douyin 'ghost crop' videos are really hilarious!
Referring to a popular pairing of characters in a fandom, often seen in fan communities. It indicates a strong interest in a specific couple or relationship, typically in dramas or animations.
I really love the couple in this show; they're so sweet!
Literally 'chasing traffic,' this slang refers to creating content aimed at maximizing views or engagement, often sacrificing depth for popularity.
Many content creators are now chasing traffic, leading to a decline in content quality.
Literally meaning 'fiery hot', this term describes something that is trending, popular, or in high demand. It is often used in the context of viral trends, events, or products.
This movie is currently 'fiery hot', everyone is talking about it.
This term means 'buyer show' and refers to the photos or reviews that customers post after purchasing a product, often showcasing their satisfaction or disappointment. It's a popular way to share experiences in online...
I've seen many buyer reviews, and it seems like this product is good.
Literally 'asking for likes,' it refers to the desire for social media validation through likes or shares. Many users express this jokingly to acknowledge their desire for online approval.
I posted a new photo; I’m asking for likes!
Literally meaning 'super positive review', this term is used to express high praise or satisfaction with something, such as a product or service. It reflects the importance of reviews in online shopping.
The dishes at this restaurant are truly super positive reviews; it's worth a try.
Means 'thick makeup and heavy adornment.' It is often used to describe overly done appearances in a somewhat humorous or critical tone, especially in social media contexts.
Her heavy makeup today shocked me a bit.
Meaning 'variety show star', this term refers to celebrities or personalities who are especially known for their appearances on entertainment shows. It reflects the blurring lines between traditional celebrity and soc...
He became popular through variety shows, and his fans really like him.
Meaning 'to show one's face,' this term is used to describe making an appearance, often in a social or public context. It's commonly used by influencers or content creators when referring to revealing their identity.
Today I’m going to show my face and film a video.
Translates to 'really amazing' or 'really awesome.' It's used to express admiration, often in response to impressive achievements or talents.
His performance was really amazing, it opened my eyes.
This term translates to 'immortal operation' and refers to extraordinary skills or talents, especially in gaming or sports. It denotes actions that are exceptionally impressive or seemingly beyond the ordinary.
His skills are truly exceptional; they leave people in awe.
Literally 'dry goods', this term refers to valuable or useful information, often shared in educational or professional contexts. It emphasizes practicality and substance.
This article has a lot of valuable information; it's worth reading.
Translating to 'combat power', this slang refers to someone's ability to handle challenges, often used in a humorous or exaggerated sense, particularly in gaming or competitive scenarios.
This player's combat power is so strong that I can’t keep up.
Translating to 'explode in popularity', this term describes a sudden surge in fame or attention, often used to refer to viral trends or individuals.
This blogger has exploded in popularity recently; everyone is paying attention to her.
This term literally means 'to drive', but in internet slang, it refers to sharing or discussing implicitly adult or risqué content. It is often used with humor, indicating someone is about to 'drive' into a more matur...
Tonight's livestream is a bit risqué, are you ready?
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.
A term combining 'work' and 'alcoholic', used to describe someone who is addicted to work and often prioritizes it over personal life. It reflects cultural attitudes toward hard work and dedication.
He is a typical workaholic, always working overtime.
This term translates to 'code farmer' and refers to programmers or software developers, often in a humorous or self-deprecating manner. It indicates a hardworking, industrious approach to coding.
As a coder, I often work overtime.
This slang is used to denote being 'cool' or 'awesome'. It sounds like the Chinese words for 'smooth' and is often used to compliment someone's style.
Your new hairstyle is really cool!
This term means 'climax' and is often used humorously in contexts where something reaches an exciting peak, whether in storytelling or real-life situations. It can denote a moment of great excitement or intensity.
The climax of this movie really surprised me.
Center Position / The Spotlight Spot
After a million fan votes, she finally took the center position and became the group leader.
Literally meaning 'explosive,' this term is used to describe something extremely popular, often trending or in high demand. It indicates that something is hot in terms of popularity.
This product is currently explosively popular online.
This slang means 'poke the wax', and refers to the idea of stirring up trouble or provoking drama. It’s often used humorously in discussions about social media feuds.
She always stirs up trouble and likes to start debates in the group chat.
Literally meaning 'elf', this term is used to describe someone who is cute or playful, often in the context of social media aesthetics. It represents a youthful, whimsical spirit.
Her photos are as cute as an elf.
Meaning 'god-level,' this term describes something of extraordinarily high quality or skill, often used in gaming and entertainment.
Your performance is truly god-level; I was completely captivated.
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.