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
Meaning 'can be called,' this term is used to describe something that is exceptionally good or worthy of praise. It's often used to emphasize a high standard in various contexts, from products to performances.
This movie can be called the best of the year; it's definitely worth watching.
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.
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.
Bull market - A rising market where prices are going up.
The bull market is here, everyone is making money.
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.
Translating to 'closed program,' this term refers to systems or platforms that limit access or communication, often used in the context of social networks or user interactions.
These social apps are increasingly like closed programs; I feel isolated.
Literally meaning 'daughter's rice,' this term refers to fans who are particularly devoted to female idols in the entertainment industry. It reflects the culture around fandom and idol worship.
She is a devoted fan of female idols, following their updates every day.
Meaning 'soul', this term is often used to refer to someone who is deeply expressive or holds profound insights. It’s often used in artistic or philosophical discussions.
This painting has a profound soul, prompting reflection.
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.
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 phrase means 'please look forward to' and is often used in marketing and social media to build anticipation for upcoming events or products. It's a polite way to engage an audience's interest.
Our new product will be launched soon; please look forward to it!
This phrase means 'to join in the fun' or 'to make a scene' and is often used when people participate in social events or trends just for the excitement, rather than having a specific goal.
They are just joining in for the fun; they don’t care about the essence of the matter.
Miner - Someone who mines cryptocurrency.
Miners are all looking for places with cheap electricity.
Literally meaning 'bedtime story', this term is often used to refer to light-hearted or comforting content shared before sleeping. On social media, it may describe videos or posts that help users relax and unwind.
Tonight I want to watch a bedtime story to relax.
Translating to 'everyone can,' this phrase emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, often used to encourage participation or action among a wide audience.
This competition is open to everyone; hurry up and sign up!
Literally 'shadow friend,' this term refers to someone who follows another person's life closely on social media without actively engaging or being a real-life friend. It's often used to describe silent followers who ...
I have many shadow friends on Weibo; they always silently watch my updates.
Translating to 'magical nature,' this term describes something that is captivating or irresistibly addictive, often used in relation to songs, memes, or trends that are impossible to forget.
This song is really captivating; I can't help but want to listen to it again.
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.
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.
Translating to 'nine段', this term is used in games to indicate a very high skill level, based on the traditional ranking in Go.
His gaming skills have reached nine段; he’s truly a master.
Burst out laughing — the explosive, uncontrollable laughter associated with Stephen Chow's comedic style. Used as both a reaction word in comments and as an adjective to describe content that is hilariously funny at a...
I burst out laughing every time I watch this clip — Master Xing is truly a genius.
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.
Translating to 'mortal cultivates immortality,' this phrase is often used humorously to describe someone striving for greatness or enlightenment, often in a way that seems unrealistic or overly ambitious.
He has been studying those books about mortals cultivating immortality.
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.
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.
Whitelist - Approved list for early access to NFT mints or token sales.
I finally got on the whitelist!
Meaning 'translator,' this term has been adapted in internet slang to humorously refer to someone who interprets or decodes complex social media posts or memes. It reflects the need for clarity in a world full of mixe...
This post is too hard to understand; could I get a translator to help out?
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.
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.
This term translates to 'big shot' or 'boss' and is used to refer to someone who is highly skilled or influential in a certain field. It conveys respect and admiration for their accomplishments.
He's truly a big shot in this industry; everyone respects him.
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 '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.
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?
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.
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.
This term, taken directly from English, is used humorously to refer to someone who is exceptionally talented or skilled at a particular activity, as in 'CEO of (something).' It implies masterful control or influence.
He is truly the CEO of skills in the game; no doubt about it.
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.
This humorous phrase translates to 'parents’ ceiling' and refers to the pressure children feel to meet their parents' expectations or standards. It highlights the generational gap in ambitions and aspirations.
I feel like I have a long way to go to meet my parents' ceiling.
Scientist / Bot operator - Someone who uses bots and scripts to gain advantages in DeFi.
Scientists grabbed all the good projects again.
Translating to 'a relaxed moment,' this phrase is used to refer to funny or lighthearted content meant to provide laughter and relieve stress. It’s commonly found in social media posts and videos.
This video was truly a relaxed moment; it made me laugh.
Noob chicken - A bad or inexperienced player.
I am a noob, do not curse at me.
Altcoin / Knockoff coin - Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.
Altcoins are very risky, be careful of going to zero.
Translating to 'battle chicken', it refers to a highly motivated or resilient person, particularly in competitive contexts. It emphasizes fighting spirit.
In this industry, you need to be a battle chicken to succeed.
This term, meaning 'forced interaction,' refers to situations where engagement feels artificial or coerced, often used in social media contexts.
The atmosphere in this live stream is so awkward; it feels like forced interaction.
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!
Translating to 'brushing existence', this term describes the act of trying to gain attention or recognition, often through excessive posting or interacting on social media. It reflects the desire to be acknowledged in...
He posts a lot every day; he’s really trying to gain attention.
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.
Referring to 'Douyin lilies', this term is associated with the coupling of unexpected or quirky pairs, often seen in humorous content on Douyin. It emphasizes the fun of unusual pairings.
This combination is just like Douyin lilies; it's so interesting!
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.
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.