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
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.
Translating to 'the entire internet,' this term is used to emphasize that something is widely known or discussed across various online platforms.
This issue is being widely discussed across the entire internet.
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.
Translating to 'stylish translation,' this term humorously refers to creative or exaggerated translations that often diverge from the original meaning. It's often used to comment on poorly done translations in media.
The creative translations in these subtitles are truly laughable.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Translating to 'mass production,' this term describes the phenomenon of generating content quickly and frequently, often without much depth or quality. It critiques the oversaturation of low-quality media.
Many videos on platforms now are mass-produced and lack creativity.
This term refers to the practice of 'anti-recommendation'—essentially warning friends against something instead of promoting it. It often indicates a critical view on something that seems overrated.
I would anti-recommend this movie; it’s really not good.
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.
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 'chasing trends,' this term describes the act of following the latest fashions, habits, or behaviors, often to fit in.
He always likes to chase trends and tries out the latest hairstyles.
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.
Literally 'seeking help,' this term is often used in online forums or social media when someone is looking for advice or assistance. It reflects a communal aspect of problem-solving.
Can anyone help me solve this problem? Seeking help!
Decentralization - The core philosophy of blockchain, removing central authority.
Decentralization is the core concept of blockchain.
Literally meaning 'to open black,' this term is used in gaming to describe playing together with friends, often in a competitive or strategic manner. It's primarily used in multiplayer gaming contexts.
We plan to play together this weekend and have some gaming fun.
Literally meaning 'to sun photos,' this term describes the act of sharing or posting pictures online, often to boast or show off experiences. It's commonly used on social media.
I must share photos after traveling this weekend!
Means 'suspense' and is commonly used to describe thrilling narratives in books, movies, or shows that engage the audience with mystery and unexpected twists.
This suspense drama always leads to unexpected outcomes.
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 'sticking points,' it refers to specific moments or transitions in videos or performances that are particularly striking or memorable.
This video has a few sticking points that are unforgettable.
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.
This phrase means 'brain hole opened,' and is used to describe a moment of creativity or a wild idea. It’s often used in artistic or imaginative discussions.
This idea really opened up my mind.
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.
Translating to 'netizen', this term refers to internet users who actively participate in online communities. It reflects the growing influence of online platforms and social media on public discourse and culture.
This issue has sparked discussion among a wide range of netizens.
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.
Translating to 'cloud high,' this term describes enjoying something vicariously, often online, without being physically present. It reflects engagement in online culture and social activities from a distance.
Even though I wasn’t at the venue, I enjoyed it vicariously through the livestream!
The Great Sword Debate at Mount Hua — a legendary event where the greatest martial arts masters gathered to determine the strongest in the world. Now used for any high-stakes competition, debate, or showdown between t...
This year is basically the Great Sword Debate — the best of the best are here.
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.
Translating to 'the trend of the times', this phrase describes phenomena that are becoming increasingly popular or inevitable. It reflects social, economic, or political trends that people are adapting to.
In the wave of technological development, smart homes have become the trend of the times.
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 'no problems,' this slang is used to express agreement or approval. It can be seen as a way to validate someone's opinion or statement.
What you said is spot on; we should definitely do it this way.
Paper hands - Selling too early out of fear, weak holders.
He has paper hands, sells as soon as it dips.
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.
Wallet - Digital cryptocurrency wallet for storing assets.
Send me your wallet address, I will transfer coins to you.
Translating to 'water army', this term refers to internet users hired to post positive comments or support a specific agenda or product. It's often used in discussions about online marketing and authenticity.
This comment has the suspicion of being from a water army.
Translating to 'laser eyes,' this term describes a focused and intense gaze, often used humorously to indicate someone is staring intensely, usually at something they want or desire. It expresses excitement or determi...
He’s staring intensely at that new phone; it’s obvious he likes it a lot.
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 expression means 'peaks and valleys', often used to describe a thrilling or dramatic situation that has many ups and downs, like a rollercoaster of emotions or events. It conveys excitement and constant change.
This show has 'peaks and valleys' in its plot, making it hard to stop watching.
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.
Meaning 'sense of technology,' this slang is used to describe something that feels modern and has a high-tech appeal. It's often used in discussions about design, fashion, or apps that leverage advanced technology.
This phone has a strong sense of technology; the picture quality is super clear.
This term mimics the sound of 'tea' and is used to refer to gossip or sharing shady or juicy information about something or someone. It's often utilized in the context of discussing celebrity news or scandals.
Have you heard? There’s a lot of gossip to share.
Literally meaning 'gods fighting', this term describes an intense competition or showdown, often used in sports or entertainment, implying that the outcome is unpredictable and thrilling.
This match is like gods fighting; the audience just can't stop watching.
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.
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.
Whale - A person or entity holding massive amounts of cryptocurrency.
Whales are selling again, the market will drop.
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 'little show,' this term refers to small, informal performances or activities, often done for fun or entertainment. It's used to suggest light-heartedness and creativity.
Tonight, we have prepared a little show for everyone.
Meaning 'to switch', this term is used in internet slang to describe changing topics, personas, or moods quickly, often in a humorous or playful manner. It can also refer to switching perspectives in conversations.
He switches moods in a second, making it hard to keep up.
This term literally means 'pee point' and is used to refer to parts of a movie or show that are particularly boring or unengaging, where one might feel the need to take a bathroom break. It reflects a shared experienc...
This show has too many boring parts; there’s not much to watch.