This section of the Chinese Slang Dictionary focuses on Savage Humor 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.
Savage Humor Slang Terms
This expression translates to 'can’t live from laughing' and is used when something is so funny that it evokes uncontrollable laughter. It reflects the humor and absurdity of a situation.
This video is just too funny; I can’t live from laughing!
To repay kindness swiftly and settle grudges decisively — the wuxia ideal of living by a fierce personal code of gratitude and revenge. Used online admiringly for someone who does not let grievances linger or debts go...
He paid back the money the very next day — truly a man who settles debts with speed.
Meaning 'visible to the naked eye,' it's often used humorously to emphasize something that is obvious or clear. It can convey a sense of incredulity or sarcasm regarding a situation.
His laziness is obvious to everyone; even his colleagues can't stand it.
Meaning 'little pitiful one,' this term is often used to describe someone who is perceived as overly dramatic or overly emotional about their circumstances. It can be used affectionately or sarcastically.
She always sees herself as a little pitiful one, but honestly, it's not a big deal.
Translating to 'stab with a knife', this term is used figuratively to describe the act of backstabbing or betrayal, especially among friends. It's associated with disloyalty and unexpected treachery.
He backstabbed me behind my back and is not trustworthy at all.
Translating to 'conditioned reflex,' this term describes an automatic response to certain stimuli, often humorously used to refer to habits or reactions that have become instinctual.
Seeing delicious food triggers an immediate desire to eat.
'Deep well ice' refers to someone who is extremely foolish or naive, akin to being in a deep state of ignorance. The phrase is often used humorously to reflect incredulity.
His behavior is truly foolish; I completely don’t understand.
Translating to 'warning outfit', this term humorously refers to someone who dresses in an eye-catching or loud manner, often used to poke fun at fashion choices that draw attention.
Her outfit today is truly a warning outfit; it's too eye-catching.
Translating to 'old driver drives', this phrase is a euphemism for someone making suggestive or risqué comments, often in a playful context. It indicates a mature understanding of topics often kept discreet.
His jokes are definitely 'old driver driving'; everyone laughed.
Translating to 'weakly ask', this term is used to introduce a question in a timid or hesitant manner, often for comedic effect. It illustrates self-deprecating humor.
I weakly ask, is this dish good?
Sand sculpture / Silly - Something absurdly funny or stupid.
This video is so silly, I am dying of laughter.
Translating to 'refined straight man', this slang describes men who are well-groomed and sophisticated yet may have conventional or outdated views. It’s often used humorously in discussions about masculinity.
He's really a refined straight man, into fashion but doesn't understand women.
Translating to 'adding a knife', this term is used when someone makes a cutting remark or critique, especially when the target is already down. It can depict humor or cruelty depending on context.
He already failed, and then I added a knife; it was really unnecessary.
Literally meaning 'disheveled hair and dirty face,' this term humorously describes someone looking unkempt or not well-groomed. It's often used in a self-deprecating way.
I look totally disheveled today; don't take my picture!
Translating to 'helpless smile', this term describes a smile that conveys resignation or acceptance of a frustrating situation. It's often used humorously to signify surrendering to life’s absurdities.
Faced with the boss's demands, I could only smile helplessly.
Literally meaning 'raw melon seeds', it is used to refer to inexperienced or naive individuals, often in a comically derogatory way. It's a playful jab at someone's lack of experience.
Don't worry; he's just a raw melon seed.
Meaning 'indifferent', this term describes someone showing a complete lack of interest or concern for a situation or person. It’s often used in discussions about social issues or relationships.
They seem indifferent towards these issues.
Face black refers to someone who experiences bad luck or misfortune frequently. It's often shared among friends to lighten the mood about unfortunate events.
I've been having bad luck lately; I've encountered several unfortunate events whenever I go out.
Translating to 'fear of clusters,' this term describes the discomfort or phobia some people have towards tightly packed objects or patterns. It is often humorously referenced in discussions about social situations.
Seeing those clustered holes makes me a bit uneasy.
This phrase means 'secretly poking' and is used to describe subtle or indirect means of conveying criticism or humor. It's often used when someone wants to point something out without being overt.
His words were a bit indirect, actually referring to me.
Translating to 'hundred causes, hundred effects', this term suggests that every action has its consequences. It's often used to emphasize accountability in various situations.
In work, remember that every action has consequences; you must take responsibility.
Literally means 'not from the heart.' It describes something done without sincerity or passion, often used in criticism of half-hearted efforts or insincerity.
This report is obviously not sincere; many of the data points are inaccurate.
Translating to 'nursery', this slang describes a group of people or a community that is chaotic or immature, similar to a daycare setting. It draws on the idea that people aren't behaving responsibly.
This group of people is just like a nursery; they're not professional at all.
This phrase translates to 'eager for public service and righteousness', referring to someone who is overly zealous in trying to help others, often to an annoying or self-righteous extent.
He's really 'eager for public service and righteousness', always meddling in others' affairs.
Literally means 'no interval road,' this term is used to describe deep undercover or secretive behavior, especially in the context of deceit or strategy. It can refer to someone who is playing both sides.
He's really playing both sides, deceiving even his friends.
Translating to 'sad circus,' this term is used to describe chaotic or frustrating situations, especially in personal lives or relationships. It conveys a sense of frustration mixed with humor.
Recently, my life has been like a sad circus.
Translating to 'little schemes,' this term refers to someone subtly being clever or crafty, often to achieve a specific goal. It can convey admiration or a hint of cunningness.
She always has little schemes that catch people by surprise.
Meaning 'unconvinced' or 'disagreeing,' this term expresses a refusal to accept something as true or valid. It's often used in competitive contexts.
I'm simply unconvinced by what you said.
Literally meaning 'plate', in slang it refers to an individual or group that is the target of criticism or gossip, similar to being 'on a chopping block'. It’s often used in discussions about public figures.
This celebrity has recently become the target of everyone’s criticism; many people are talking about him.
Stupid idiot / Dumb*ss (the most common Chinese insult)
This person is a total idiot, they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.
Translating to 'don’t take it too seriously', this phrase is often used to lighten the mood or to suggest that someone should not overthink a situation. It promotes a more relaxed attitude.
This is just a joke, everyone don’t take it too seriously.
This term means 'greasy middle-aged' and describes men who exhibit stereotypically undesirable traits such as overconfidence, a lack of self-awareness, and a tendency to show off wealth. It is often used humorously or...
He is such a greasy middle-aged man who only talks about work all day.
To label; describes the act of categorizing or stereotyping people or things, often used in social discourse to highlight the oversimplification of identities.
Don’t always label; we should be more inclusive.
Meaning 'to evade' or 'to escape,' it often refers to avoiding responsibilities or issues, particularly in a humorous or self-aware context. It can describe both literal and metaphorical avoidance.
Every time I encounter trouble, I just want to escape.
Literally 'face-palm kill', this term is used when someone is so shocked or embarrassed that they cover their face, often used humorously.
After seeing his speech, I was completely face-palming.
Translating to 'wit' or 'cleverness', this term describes someone who is quick-thinking and can come up with clever responses or solutions on the spot. It's often used in contexts involving humor or intelligence.
His answer was truly witty and made everyone laugh.
'Shift target' refers to redirecting attention or effort away from a direct issue, often used humorously to describe a strategy of evasion or distraction.
When the problem arose, he immediately shifted the target, avoiding the answer.
Hater / Troll - Someone who spreads negativity and criticism online.
Ignore those haters, they are just jealous.
This term means 'to act recklessly' and is often used to describe someone who engages in chaotic or irresponsible behavior. It can be used lightly to refer to fun, carefree actions as well.
They went off and acted recklessly again; they're so unreliable.
This term means 'excellent' and is used as a sarcastic expression to describe someone who is overly showy or pretentious about their achievements. It has become a tongue-in-cheek way to critique boastfulness.
He keeps bragging; how can he be so 'excellent'?
Literally meaning 'mouth brother', this term is used to refer to someone who talks a lot, often in a boastful or exaggerated manner. It can be used affectionately or sarcastically.
He really is a mouth brother, always talking about how great he is.
Translating to 'throwing a tantrum,' this term humorously describes someone acting excessively emotional or dramatic over a minor issue. It often implies a lack of maturity or self-control.
She threw a tantrum over such a small issue; it's really exaggerated.
This phrase translates to 'self-harm humor', referring to a kind of dark humor that involves self-deprecation or making jokes at one's own expense. It reflects a coping mechanism for dealing with life's challenges.
I enjoy self-harm humor; it makes me feel a bit better.
Translating directly to 'death from overwork,' this term highlights the issue of workaholism, particularly in China. It serves as a critique of the culture that glorifies excessive work at the expense of health.
He has a lot of work pressure, and I'm always worried he will die from overwork.
Translating to 'desperate person' or 'fugitive', this term describes someone who is recklessly pursuing a goal, often used in a humorous context to describe people acting without regard for consequences.
He has become a desperate person in pursuit of his dreams.
Literally means 'clown culture', this term refers to a humorous or self-mocking attitude towards one's own misfortunes or failures. It highlights the use of humor to cope with life's challenges.
Our generation lives out clown culture, finding joy in failure.
This phrase means 'to listen attentively.' It’s often used in a sarcastic manner when someone is pretending to be interested in another's gossip or stories.
Wow, that’s really interesting; I'm all ears!
Literally 'honest person,' this term is often used to describe someone who is naive or too straightforward in a way that can lead to being taken advantage of.
He’s an honest person and always trusts others.
Literally meaning 'cold joke,' this term refers to jokes that are intentionally cheesy or awkward, often resulting in groans rather than laughter. It's a playful way to describe humor that doesn't hit the mark.
His cold joke left me both laughing and crying.
This phrase translates to 'princess syndrome', describing an individual, often a young woman, who exhibits entitlement or behaves as if they expect special treatment. It's used to critique selfish or high-maintenance ...
She always complains; she really has princess syndrome.