This section of the Chinese Slang Dictionary focuses on Love & Friends 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.
Love & Friends Slang Terms
I love you — 520 sounds like 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) in Mandarin. The most iconic Chinese number code for love, used in texts, gifts, and online chats. May 20th (5/20) has become an unofficial Valentine's Day in China because ...
Today is May 20th (520), I want to tell you — I love you!
Meaning 'pure love', this term describes relationships that are innocent and idealistic, often seen in romantic dramas or novels. It denotes a longing for genuine emotions without complications.
I want a pure love relationship, with no ulterior motives.
This term means 'to lay out the cards' and refers to revealing one's true intentions or feelings, often used in discussions of relationships or business deals. It's about being honest and straightforward.
We finally laid our cards on the table, and we both know each other's true feelings.
Translating to 'not in agreement with a single word', this phrase is used to describe conflicts that arise unexpectedly or without sufficient reason. It suggests a sudden fallout, often used humorously or dramatically.
We had a sudden disagreement, and it turned quite unpleasant.
Literally 'little cloud crane,' this term is a cute designation for someone who appears gentle and serene. It’s often used to describe a person or character with a soft demeanor.
She’s like a little cloud crane, always making people feel relaxed.
This term means 'close friend' and denotes someone with whom one shares a deep bond and personal secrets. It emphasizes the importance of trust and intimacy in friendships.
She is my closest friend, and we talk about everything.
Meaning 'farewell,' this term is used to express goodbyes in various contexts, including relationships, friendships, or life changes. It’s often imbued with emotional weight.
At graduation, everyone was feeling the weight of farewell.
Translates to 'destined to be great.' This term is used to encourage someone, especially in difficult times, expressing the idea that they will eventually succeed.
Don't give up; you are destined to be great!
Translating to 'small portion', this term is often used online to refer to people who take things lightly or don’t want to commit fully in situations, especially in relationships.
Are you taking this relationship lightly?
Supreme Treasure — Stephen Chow's character in A Chinese Odyssey, a bandit chief who discovers he is the reincarnation of the Monkey King. His name is used online for someone torn between duty and love, or someone who...
He says he does not want the promotion but works like crazy — what a Zhi Zunbao.
Translating to 'blue-faced confidant', this term refers to a male friend with whom a woman feels a close emotional connection but with no romantic interest. It emphasizes platonic relationships.
She has a great relationship with her blue-faced confidant; they always share secrets.
Literally meaning 'when drinking water, think of its source,' this idiom emphasizes the importance of gratitude and remembering the origins of one's benefits or opportunities. It's often used to encourage appreciation.
We should also remember our roots when we succeed and not forget those who helped us.
Referring to the 'Old Man under the Moon,' a deity responsible for love in Chinese mythology. In modern usage, it symbolizes fate or destiny in romantic relationships and is often invoked humorously in discussions abo...
I hope the Old Man under the Moon can bring my lover and me together.
Literally 'silly roe deer,' this humorous term refers to someone who is naive or innocent, often used affectionately. It describes someone who is straightforward or lacks worldly wisdom.
He’s such a naive person; he doesn’t understand anything.
Literally meaning 'see you next year,' this phrase is often used humorously to signify the end of an event or situation, implying that the speaker is done with it and won’t engage until next time. It’s often used in s...
This gathering is too boring; see you next year.
'Full of energy' describes a person who is lively, enthusiastic, and brimming with positive vibes. It suggests a vibrant attitude towards life, often used to uplift others or promote a cheerful atmosphere.
She is full of energy today, and everyone is influenced by her.
Translating to 'smooth sailing all the way', this phrase is often used to wish someone a safe and easy journey. It carries a positive connotation and expresses good wishes for a smooth experience.
Wishing you 'smooth sailing all the way' on your trip; have a pleasant journey!
Literally means 'chameleon.' It’s used to describe someone who easily adapts to different social situations or changes their opinions to fit in. The term can be used positively or negatively depending on context.
She is truly a chameleon, always saying different things to different people.
Translating to 'hot mom', this term is used to describe fashionable and attractive mothers who manage to maintain their style and charisma despite the challenges of parenting. It celebrates modern motherhood.
She’s a hot mom; she always looks so young.
This term means 'to urgently help someone in need,' often used in contexts where someone seeks immediate assistance or intervention from friends or the community. It conveys a sense of camaraderie and support.
I'm stuck on the road today; I urgently need help!
Meaning 'change the way of living', this phrase encourages individuals to rethink their life choices and pursue different paths. It's often used in self-help contexts.
I decided to change my way of living and pursue my dreams.
The term literally means 'tea egg,' a popular snack in China. However, it is used as a slang expression referring to someone who seems unremarkable or dull. Its humorous connotation often applies to people who lack pe...
He was just a tea egg at the party, with nothing to talk about.
Translating to 'a bolt from the blue,' this term describes an unexpected shock or surprising news. It captures the feeling of sudden change in a dramatic way.
His resignation was truly a bolt from the blue for me.
Translated as 'heart explosion', it describes an intense feeling of excitement or infatuation, often used in romantic contexts.
Seeing her smile made my heart explode.
Literally meaning 'giggling monster', this term describes someone who is extremely cute or silly, often used in a playful or teasing manner. It reflects affection and light-heartedness.
You’re such a giggling monster, making everyone laugh out loud.
This term means 'to clap' and is often used as an expression of approval or encouragement. It's prevalent in contexts where people show appreciation for someone's performance or achievement.
His performance deserves applause!
Translating to 'Worry Relief Grocery Store,' this term comes from a popular novel and symbolizes a place where people can find solutions to their problems or share their worries. It's rooted in the concept of communit...
My friend is like a 'worry relief grocery store'; they always give me good advice.
Meaning 'study dog,' this term affectionately labels someone who is diligent and serious about their studies or work. It’s often used humorously among students.
She is such a study dog; she always does her homework seriously.
Translating to 'the former serfs sing,' this term humorously describes someone who has recently achieved success or improved their circumstances, often used in a light-hearted, celebratory context.
I just got promoted; the former serfs sing, let’s celebrate together!
This term means 'to walk with heart,' referring to actions or words that are sincere and heartfelt. It's often used to describe genuine expressions in conversations.
This song is truly heartfelt; it moves me.
Ship a couple / OTP — CP stands for "couple pairing." 磕CP (kē CP) means to actively "ship" two people together — whether real celebrities, fictional characters, or even strangers online who seem compatible. A cornerst...
Their interaction is so sweet — I've started shipping them as a CP!
This phrase means 'hold on' and is often used to encourage someone to persevere through tough times. It’s popularly used in social media posts to show support for friends and followers going through challenges.
Life is tough, but we need to hold on!
Meaning 'there's no need at all', this term is often used to downplay someone's excessive efforts or worries. It conveys a casual tone suggesting relaxation.
You’re so nervous; there’s no need at all.
Literally 'milk tea cat,' this term refers to someone who is cute and comforting, akin to the feeling of drinking sweet milk tea on a cozy day. It’s often used to describe someone or something that brings joy or comfo...
This little girl is such a milk tea cat; everyone wants to get close to her.
To act with chivalry and uphold justice — the defining behavior of a wuxia hero who uses their power to help the weak and right wrongs. Used online to describe anyone who speaks up against injustice or helps a strange...
He confronted a scammer online to protect someone — truly acting with chivalry and justice.
This phrase means 'heart surging waves,' used to express overwhelming emotions, often excitement or passion. It is commonly seen in romantic contexts or during significant events.
Seeing her performance made my heart surge with emotion; I was particularly excited.
Translating to 'make friends,' this term can be used both literally and to describe the act of networking or connecting with others in a social context. It emphasizes the importance of relationships.
Making friends was very important when I was in university.
Translating to 'psychological counseling,' this term can be used informally in a joking context to refer to light-hearted advice or casual conversations that help alleviate stress.
Chatting with friends feels like psychological counseling.
Literally means 'jumping in place to dance.' It refers to having fun or celebrating without needing a dance floor, often used in the context of enjoying oneself at home or in small gatherings.
On the weekend, my friends and I jumped in place to dance at home and had a great time.
Chivalry and righteousness — the moral code of the wuxia hero: standing up for the weak, keeping promises, and prioritizing justice over personal gain. Used online to genuinely praise someone's selfless, principled be...
He helped me so much without asking anything in return — truly the spirit of chivalry.
Literally 'I’ll take you to fly', this slang is used to express a sense of adventure or excitement, often in the context of experiencing new things with someone else. It can also imply uplifting someone’s spirit.
Travel with me, I’ll take you to fly!
Literally means 'guiding light.' It refers to someone or something that provides guidance in difficult situations, often used metaphorically for mentors or significant life influences.
He has always been my guiding light.
Translating to 'varied ways of chasing stars', this term describes the multi-faceted ways fans express their admiration for celebrities, often involving creative and dedicated efforts.
Her varied ways of chasing stars are truly admirable.
Translating to 'pretend', this term often describes the act of feigning or putting on a facade, particularly in social contexts. It's commonly used in relationship dialogues.
Don't pretend that you like this show.
Translating to 'dumped' or 'let go', this term describes the act of ending a romantic relationship, often used casually among friends discussing dating.
I heard she recently dumped her boyfriend and is living happily.
This term translates to 'opposite sexes attract' and is used to describe romantic attraction between different genders. It's often mentioned in dating conversations and reflects common beliefs about attraction.
Opposite sexes attract is a part of human emotions.
Translating to 'little broken child', this term is often used affectionately to describe someone who is clumsy, naive, or endearing in a vulnerable way. It evokes a sense of cuteness despite imperfections.
Seeing how he does things, he's really a little broken child.
Translating to 'sunshine boy', this term describes a cheerful, optimistic young man full of energy and positivity. It is often associated with attractive young men who embody a bright and sunny disposition.
He always looks like a sunshine boy, which makes him very likable.
Translating to 'love is supreme,' it expresses a philosophy where romantic love is placed above all other priorities, often leading to humorous or exaggerated situations.
He always puts love above everything else and doesn’t even want to work.
Translating to 'palm treasure,' this term is affectionately used to describe someone who is cherished or overly pampered, usually in a romantic or familial context. It conveys a sense of love and protectiveness.
She is my treasured one, and I will take good care of her.