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 '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!
Means 'not falling into cliches', it denotes originality or uniqueness in thoughts, actions, or ideas, often used to compliment someone’s creativity.
His works are always original and very creative.
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.
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.
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.
Translating to 'truth', this term is often used in discussions surrounding uncovering facts or realities, particularly in relation to scandals or rumors. It conveys the pursuit of deeper understanding in a situation.
Everyone is guessing; what is the truth?
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 '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.
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.
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.
Meaning 'dirty words', this term refers to profanity or vulgar language. It’s often discussed in contexts of media and conversational decorum.
There were so many swear words in that show.
Short for 'Animal Crossing,' this term is used to refer to the popular game that emphasizes relaxation and community building. Players often share their in-game experiences and creative designs on various social media...
I’ve been playing Animal Crossing recently, and it feels so relaxing.
Literally meaning 'vulture,' this term has been adapted to label internet users who obsessively pick apart and analyze every detail of a subject, often critiquing it harshly. It carries a negative connotation.
The comment section of that article is filled with vultures, arguing incessantly.
This term translates to 'big fire' and is used to describe something that has gone viral or is extremely popular at the moment. It's commonly used in reference to trends, memes, and popular figures.
This song is super popular lately; everyone is listening to it.
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.
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.
Translating to 'big brain opening,' this term describes thinking outside the box or coming up with creative and unusual ideas. It signifies a burst of imaginative thought.
His ideas are truly creative and refreshing.
This term means 'pop culture' and encompasses the trends, music, fashion, and entertainment that are popular at any given time. It's a way to discuss the cultural zeitgeist among the youth.
Pop culture influences our way of life.
Meaning 'drawing,' this term refers to the act of creating visual art, often in the context of digital art or game design. It symbolizes creativity and artistic expression.
I'm planning to draw today and create some new works.
This term means 'momentum' or 'popularity' and is used to describe someone's rising status or trendiness in social or professional settings. It denotes being in the spotlight.
He has been very popular lately; everyone is paying attention to him.
Translating to 'milk tea sister', this term is often used to describe a young lady who enjoys drinking milk tea, a popular beverage in China. It reflects not only a love for the drink but also a youthful lifestyle oft...
She's really a milk tea sister, always carrying her milk tea when she goes out.
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 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.
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!
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.
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!
Center Position / The Spotlight Spot
After a million fan votes, she finally took the center position and became the group leader.
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.
This term means 'first of all,' used frequently in discussions to emphasize the priority of certain points, especially in arguments or detailed explanations.
First of all, I think this plan is not feasible.
This term means 'to choose sides or teams', especially in debates or discussions. It reflects aligning oneself with a particular viewpoint or group.
On this topic, everyone is starting to choose sides.
Literally 'burying a hint,' this term is used to describe the practice of leaving subtle clues or references, often in content creation or storytelling. It encourages audience engagement and speculation.
She left many hints in the video, and everyone is discussing them.
Meaning 'aesthetic value', this term refers to someone's appearance or attractiveness. It’s often discussed in the context of social media influencers or public figures.
This model's aesthetic value is so high, everyone is following her.
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.
Translating to 'departing from the path', this term describes someone who goes against traditional norms or expectations, often in a rebellious or innovative way. It reflects a shift in cultural values.
He always departs from the norm, and his style of doing things is unique.
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.
Literally meaning 'surfing', this term refers to the act of browsing the internet, especially when engaging in trendy challenges or viral content. It's often used to describe someone who's actively participating in on...
I'm planning to surf the internet this weekend and see what new challenges are out there.
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.
Bear market - A declining market where prices are falling.
In a bear market learn patience, do not panic sell.
Meaning 'soulless', this term is used to describe something that lacks depth or authenticity, often applied to art, culture, or social interactions. It conveys a sense of disappointment.
Although this movie has good box office numbers, I feel it lacks soul.
The Algorithm — originally the standard technical term for algorithm, now used culturally to describe being captured or manipulated by platform recommendation systems.
The algorithm knows me too well — I've been scrolling for two hours and can't stop.
Translating to 'multicultural,' this term is often used to describe the coexistence of diverse cultures, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and acceptance. It’s a concept frequently discussed in artistic and a...
We should respect and learn about multiculturalism.
Meaning 'fresh and unique', this term describes something that is refreshing and stands out from the ordinary. It's often used in artistic contexts but can apply to any new and exciting ideas.
His design style is fresh and unique, making it instantly appealing.
Literally 'a versatile celebrity', this term describes someone who can adapt to various roles or situations with ease. It’s often used in entertainment to praise multifaceted talents.
This celebrity is truly versatile, able to handle any type of role.
This term translates to 'super god', used to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled or talented, particularly in gaming or competitive environments. It’s a compliment acknowledging extreme abilities.
His skills are truly super god; I've never seen such a strong competitor.
Literally 'programming dream', it refers to the aspirations of tech enthusiasts and programmers who dream of creating innovative software or games. It showcases the ambition within the tech community.
He has a programming dream of developing an app that could change the world.
Literally meaning 'smelly mouth', this term refers to someone who is overly critical or harsh in their comments, often in an exaggerated or humorous way. It is commonly used in online discussions to tease those who ar...
He comments on so many videos; what a smelly mouth!
This term means 'not losing out', indicating a mindset of making decisions that ensure one does not suffer a loss, either financially or socially. It suggests a shrewdness in interactions.
In business, you need to learn how to ensure you're not losing out.
Means 'to follow the flow,' used to describe someone who conforms to popular trends or practices without critical thought. It sometimes carries a negative connotation of lack of originality.
I don't want to just follow the flow; I want to do what I like.
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.
Meaning 'to become popular,' this term is often used to describe trends, memes, or content that suddenly gains widespread attention or goes viral.
This video has become popular; everyone is discussing it.