Chinese Slang Dictionary — 3800+ Terms — Page 12 | Chinese Slang

This is the complete browsable index of our Chinese Slang Dictionary — 3800+ verified internet slang terms used on platforms like Weibo, Bilibili, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu. Every entry includes the Chinese characters (汉字), pinyin with tone marks, an English translation, at least one example sentence in authentic Chinese, and a cultural note explaining where the term comes from and how it is really used. Terms are ranked by community votes, so the most useful and widely used terms appear first. New slang is added daily from trending Chinese social media. Looking for a specific term? Use the search bar at the top of the page.

Chinese Slang Terms, Sorted by Popularity

为所欲为 (wéi suǒ yù wéi)

Translating to 'do as one pleases', this term expresses a carefree attitude toward life, often used to describe someone living freely without regard for social norms or pressures.

I just want to do as I please and not be constrained.

考古 (kǎo gǔ)

Literally meaning 'archaeology', this term is used to describe someone who revisits old posts or trends on the internet, especially on social media. It reflects nostalgia for past trends or content.

I've been revisiting old videos lately; this content is really funny.

托马斯 (tuō mǎ sī)

This term comes from a popular meme character, Thomas the Tank Engine, and is used humorously to refer to someone who is naive or easily misled. It signifies innocence or lack of awareness.

He is really like a Thomas, too naive about the world.

混子 (hùn zǐ)

Literally means 'blender' or 'mixing person,' this humorous term is used to describe someone who does nothing productive but pretends to be busy or is a slacker. It often has a light-hearted, mocking tone.

He spends all day just being a slacker and doesn't work seriously at all.

MM (měi méi)

Pretty girl / babe / sis — MM can stand for 美眉 (měi méi, beautiful eyebrows / pretty girl) or 妹妹 (mèi mèi, little sister). Used to address or describe an attractive young woman, or affectionately among young women to ...

This girl's photos are gorgeous!

红包 (hóng bāo)

Literally meaning 'red envelope', this term is often used to refer to digital monetary gifts given during festivals or celebrations, especially on platforms like WeChat. It symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

I received many red envelopes for the New Year; I'm happy!

奶茶一级棒 (nǎichá yī jí bàng)

Literally 'milk tea is top-notch', this phrase expresses a strong affection for milk tea, which is immensely popular among young people. It represents the culture of enjoying bubble tea outings.

Let's go have some top-notch milk tea today!

追随者 (zhuī suí zhě)

Translating to 'followers,' this term refers to people who follow a particular trend, celebrity, or influencer, often in a fanatical way. It emphasizes the nature of digital fandom and the impact of social media.

He has thousands of followers on his social media.

逃离 (táo lí)

Means 'to escape.' Often used in a humorous context to describe leaving situations, particularly stressful ones like work or bad dates.

I want to escape this party.

伏笔 (fú bǐ)

Translating to 'foreshadowing', this term is often used in storytelling to refer to hints or clues that predict future events. Online, it's also used to discuss plot twists in dramas.

The foreshadowing in this drama is really clever, building anticipation.

武功盖世 (wǔ gōng gài shì)

Martial arts skill that surpasses the entire world — hyperbolic praise for supreme ability in wuxia. Online, used as over-the-top flattery for anyone who demonstrates exceptional skill, even in trivial matters.

Your cooking skill surpasses the whole world — I would gladly eat here every day!

省钱大法 (shěng qián dà fǎ)

Translating to 'money-saving techniques', this term is frequently used in lifestyle discussions on saving money, especially among students or young adults.

I researched a lot of money-saving techniques, and I really saved a lot.

狂热 (kuáng rè)

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.

话梅 (huà méi)

This term refers to dried plums, often used humorously to describe a person who is sour or negative, likely in response to something happy or upbeat.

Don't be a sourpuss; cheer up; life must go on.

爽爽 (shuǎng shuǎng)

This term conveys a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction, often used to respond positively to something delightfully surprising. It reflects a sense of enjoyment.

I just had an ice cream; it felt really satisfying.

真理 (zhēn lǐ)

Translating to 'truth,' this term is often used humorously to refer to statements or beliefs that are seen as universally accepted truths in a light-hearted manner. It emphasizes a sense of wisdom or understanding.

This saying is the truth; I completely agree.

行侠仗义 (xíng xiá zhàng yì)

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.

火锅文化 (huǒ guō wén huà)

Translates to 'hot pot culture.' This term encapsulates the social aspect of dining in a hot pot restaurant, where people gather around a communal pot to cook and share food. It's popular among friends and family for ...

We are going to experience hot pot culture this weekend!

降温 (jiàng wēn)

Literally 'lower the temperature', this term is often used to indicate cooling down a heated situation or emotions. It can refer to relationships or conflicts that need to be calmed.

Their argument is too intense; it needs to cool down a bit.

i人 (i rén)

Introvert - MBTI introvert type person.

I am an introvert, do not like socializing.

摸遍 (mō biàn)

Literally meaning 'to touch everywhere,' this term conveys the idea of experiencing or trying out a wide range of things, often in the context of food or travel. It reflects a curious and adventurous spirit.

I want to try all the delicious food in this city.

陪跑 (péi pǎo)

Meaning 'to run alongside', it describes someone who supports another person in their pursuits, especially in competitions or goals, often implying a role of encouragement rather than competition.

I've been supporting my friend, helping her pursue her dreams.

心理咨询 (xīnlǐ zīxún)

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.

云播 (yún bō)

Referring to 'cloud broadcasting', this term denotes streaming content over the internet, especially during events like concerts or live shows. It captures the growing trend of online participation in real-time events.

I streamed a concert at home last night.

掰扯 (bāi che)

To hash something out, argue through every detail — a Beijing word for lengthy, thorough discussion of a matter, often with a tinge of exasperation. Can mean let's work this out or stop over-explaining depending on co...

We need to hash this out properly — what exactly do you mean?

打金 (dǎ jīn)

Gold farming / Play to earn - Making money by playing blockchain games.

He earns thousands per month gold farming.

茶叶蛋 (chá yè dàn)

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.

傻狍子 (shǎ páo zi)

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.

重返少年 (chóng fǎn shào nián)

Translating to 'return to youth,' this phrase expresses the desire to relive one's younger days or recapture youthful energy. It symbolizes nostalgia and longing for simpler times.

Seeing these old photos makes me really feel like returning to my youth.

007 (líng líng qī)

Working 24/7 with zero days off — the extreme beyond 996. 007 means working from 0am to 0am, 7 days a week: never stopping. Used ironically to describe the most grueling work environments.

Our team is on 007 — didn't even get the weekend off last week.

爆发 (bào fā)

Burst / Sudden overwhelming hit — a concentrated crisis that strikes all at once

Lost my job and then got hit with a medical bill — a double burst of damage.

月薪族 (yuè xīn zú)

Translates to 'monthly salary tribe.' This term is used to refer to individuals who work for a fixed monthly salary and often live paycheck to paycheck. It highlights the struggles of many young workers in urban envir...

As a monthly salary tribe member, I budget carefully every month.

少男少女 (shàonán shàonǚ)

Literally 'young boys and girls', this term is often used to refer to teenagers or young adults, particularly in the context of discussions about youth culture, trends, and influences.

The young boys and girls had a big reaction to this drama.

抖音夜 (dǒu yīn yè)

This term describes the phenomenon of staying up late to watch Douyin (TikTok) videos. It's a cultural reference to binge-watching short videos that can easily lead to losing track of time.

I spent another Douyin night last night; it was so funny.

抖音土味 (dǒu yīn tǔ wèi)

Translating to 'Douyin earthy flavor,' this term describes content that feels rustic or unrefined but is popular on short-video platforms like Douyin. It often embraces a certain charm that appeals to audiences.

His videos have a kind of earthy flavor that makes them especially popular.

不负责任 (bù fù zérèn)

This phrase translates to 'irresponsible' and describes behavior that lacks accountability, often seen humorously in social media discussions about careless actions.

His actions are truly irresponsible and have disappointed everyone.

科技感 (kē jì gǎn)

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.

996 (jiǔ jiǔ liù)

The 996 work schedule — working from 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week. The symbol of overwork culture and labor exploitation in China's tech industry. Sparked massive national debate about workers' rights.

The 996 schedule is completely normal at this company — there's no life outside work.

火锅猛 (huǒ guō měng)

Literally meaning 'hotpot fierce', this slang term is often used to describe someone's enthusiasm for hotpot, a popular dining experience in China. It can also imply a general zest for life or passion for food.

She's really into hotpot; she eats it at least once a week.

心理阴影 (xīn lǐ yīn yǐng)

Translating to 'psychological shadow,' this term refers to the lingering psychological effects of a traumatic or negative experience. It’s often used humorously in contexts where someone is overly cautious because of ...

I have a psychological shadow from this game and don't dare to play it again.

笑傲江湖 (xiào ào jiāng hú)

Smiling proudly through the jianghu — the title of Jin Yong's beloved novel about a wandering swordsman who refuses to be bound by any faction or ambition. Online, used to describe a carefree, unbothered attitude towa...

After quitting, I can finally smile proudly through the jianghu — no more rat race for me.

算命 (suàn mìng)

Translating to 'fortune telling', this term is used in both traditional and modern contexts to refer to the practice of seeking predictions about one’s future based on astrology or other methods. It can also have a pl...

I like to go for fortune telling to see what the future holds.

换个活法 (huàn gè huó fǎ)

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.

疫情期间 (yì qíng qī jiān)

Translating to 'during the pandemic,' this term is used to refer to events, changes, or behaviors that arose as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects on the societal adaptations made.

During the pandemic, many people started shopping online and working remotely.

助记词 (zhù jì cí)

Seed phrase / Mnemonic - Recovery words for your crypto wallet.

Write your seed phrase on paper, do not store it on your phone.

作天作地 (zuò tiān zuò dì)

This saying describes someone who is overly dramatic or causes chaos, often used to mock those who exaggerate situations. It reflects a playful criticism of unnecessary drama.

He always creates unnecessary drama, making it unbearable for those around him.

无情割席 (wú qíng gē xí)

Translating to 'ruthlessly cutting ties,' this term emphasizes a strong decision to end any connection with someone, especially after betrayal or disappointment. It carries a serious tone.

He betrayed me, so I can only 'ruthlessly cut ties.'

现充 (xiàn chōng)

Literally meaning 'current充,' it describes someone who is perceived as having a fulfilling life, often in relationships and social status. The term can be used both positively and negatively.

She always shares her wonderful life on social media; she’s truly a current充.

小刀子 (xiǎo dāo zi)

Literally 'little knife,' this term refers to someone who makes sharp, biting comments but is often seen as humorous or endearing. It's like calling someone a 'sassy friend.'

He always has a sharp tongue; it's really both amusing and frustrating.

Page 12 of 78 — 3,856 total terms