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

做梦 (zuò mèng)

Literally meaning 'to dream,' this term is used to imply that someone has unrealistic expectations or aspirations. It's often used sarcastically to highlight impracticality.

You want to become the world's richest person? Stop dreaming.

波波头 (bō bō tóu)

Literally 'bubble head', this refers to a specific trendy hairstyle characterized by a short bob cut, often associated with youthfulness and fashion. It symbolizes a playful and stylish image.

She got a bubble head hairstyle and instantly became youthful.

机灵鬼 (jīlíng guǐ)

Translates to 'clever ghost,' referring to someone who is quick-witted and smart, often used as a compliment to describe sharp individuals.

She is really a clever ghost; she always comes up with great ideas.

鸡汤文 (jī tāng wén)

Translating to 'chicken soup literature', this term refers to overly sentimental or motivational writing that aims to uplift readers. It can be used sarcastically to critique overly simple or cliché advice.

These chicken soup articles make me feel bored.

脆弱 (cuì ruò)

Meaning 'fragile' or 'weak', this term is often used to describe someone who is emotionally sensitive. It has gained traction in discussions around mental health and vulnerability.

In this high-pressure society, many people feel fragile.

明年见 (míng nián jiàn)

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.

攀比 (pān bǐ)

Meaning 'to compare', this term is generally used in a negative context when people measure their success or possessions against others. It reflects societal pressures and competitiveness.

In this society, the phenomenon of comparison is becoming more serious.

黑历史 (hēi lì shǐ)

Literally 'black history', this term refers to embarrassing past events or mistakes that a person may want to keep hidden. It's used in a humorous way, especially when discussing someone’s awkward moments.

Let me share my black history; I'm really embarrassed.

转圈 (zhuǎn quān)

Meaning 'to go in circles', this term describes a situation where someone is confused or unable to make progress. It often gently mocks a lack of direction in a humorous way.

I’m totally going in circles on this question; I can’t figure it out at all.

咕噜 (gū lū)

The term mimics the sound of something rolling or tumbling, often used to represent procrastination or an idle lifestyle. It can also describe a situation where things don't go as planned, adding a playful tone.

I rolled around all afternoon and didn't get anything done.

网络喷子 (wǎng luò pēn zi)

Literally 'internet sprayer', this term denotes online trolls or individuals who post negative comments and criticisms indiscriminately. It's often used to describe people who enjoy stirring up trouble online.

The comments from these internet trolls are really frustrating.

狼人杀 (lángrénshā)

Translating to 'Werewolf Kill', this refers to a popular social deduction game where players role-play and try to identify who among them is the 'werewolf'. The game emphasizes strategy and social interaction.

Let’s play Werewolf Kill together this weekend!

交朋友 (jiāo péng yǒu)

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.

七色祥云 (qī sè xiáng yún)

Seven-colored cloud of fortune — from the famous A Chinese Odyssey speech about waiting for a hero who arrives on such a cloud. Used to describe an idealized romantic arrival, an impossibly perfect expectation, or sar...

Waiting for him to come find you? Are you waiting for him to arrive on a seven-colored cloud?

看破 (kàn pò)

Translating to 'see through', it is used when someone can understand the underlying truth of a situation or person, often implying a sense of wisdom.

She saw through his lies.

挺住 (tǐng zhù)

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!

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.

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.

老母亲的心 (lǎo mǔqīn de xīn)

This phrase translates to 'a mother’s heart' and is used to describe someone who is overly caring or protective, often in a humorous way. It conveys a sense of nurturing, sometimes to a fault.

You really have a mother’s heart, always worrying about me.

颜值崩坏 (yán zhí bēng huài)

Translating to 'appearance崩坏', this slang refers to someone whose looks have drastically deteriorated, often used humorously in relation to celebrities or influencers.

That celebrity's looks have really deteriorated lately; I can't even bear to look at their photos.

海鲜 (hǎi xiān)

This literally means 'seafood', but in internet slang, it's used to describe someone who is 'fresh' or 'new', often in a humorous or mocking way.

His performance today was really fresh.

炒鸡 (chǎo jī)

Literally meaning 'fried chicken,' this term is a play on words for '超级' (super) and is used to express something being extremely good or excellent. It is often used to convey enthusiasm for something, like a movie or...

This movie is super awesome!

逆风翻盘 (nì fēng fān pán)

Translating to 'turning the tide against the wind', this term describes a situation where someone manages to succeed despite facing significant challenges or opposition, offering an inspiring message of resilience.

After hard work, he finally turned the tide and won the competition.

氛围感 (fēn wéi gǎn)

This term refers to the overall atmosphere or vibe in a particular situation, often used in the context of social gatherings, art, or design. It highlights the importance of setting.

The atmosphere in this coffee shop is great, making me feel relaxed.

行云流水 (xíng yún liú shuǐ)

This phrase translates to 'moving clouds and flowing water,' used to describe something that is smooth and natural, often in reference to performance, art, or writing. It suggests a graceful and effortless quality.

His speech was like moving clouds and flowing water, captivating the audience.

咱们不一样 (zánmen bù yīyàng)

Translating to 'we are different', this phrase is often used to highlight one's unique or superior traits, sometimes humorously or sarcastically. It shows a sense of pride in one’s individuality.

You can’t compare with me; we are different after all.

舞蹈家 (wǔ dǎo jiā)

Meaning 'dancer', this term has gained popularity on platforms like Douyin to describe users who post dance videos. It's often used endearingly to refer to both amateur and professional dancers.

Every time she dances, I feel like she's a dancer.

送你上天 (sòng nǐ shàng tiān)

Literally meaning 'send you to heaven', this term is used to describe a situation where someone is treated exceptionally well or pampered. It often implies that someone is receiving special attention or affection.

This dinner makes me feel like I'm being pampered; it makes me so happy.

亮眼 (liàng yǎn)

Meaning 'eye-catching' or 'striking', this term is used to describe something that stands out or is impressive, often in a visually appealing way. It's used to compliment design, aesthetics, or performances.

This design is really eye-catching and has attracted many people's attention.

游戏废物 (yóu xì fèi wù)

Translating to 'gaming waste', this term is a self-deprecating way to describe oneself or others who are not skilled in gaming. It can be used humorously among friends or to express frustration.

I was really a gaming noob today.

秋水共长天一色 (qiū shuǐ gòng cháng tiān yī sè)

This poetic phrase translates to 'the autumn waters share a color with the endless sky', often used to express beauty and harmony in nature. It's used romantically to describe idyllic settings or feelings.

Watching the sunset on the beach gives me the feeling of beauty in harmony.

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.

情绪垃圾 (qíng xù lā jī)

This term translates to 'emotional trash' and describes negative emotions or thoughts that one should discard or let go of. It encourages a focus on positivity and mental well-being.

Some emotional trash really needs to be learned to be let go of.

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.

黑马 (hēi mǎ)

This term means 'dark horse' and is used to describe someone or something that unexpectedly achieves success, especially in competitive environments. It emphasizes the surprise aspect of their victory.

This movie unexpectedly became a dark horse, surpassing box office expectations.

紫薯球 (zǐ shǔ qiú)

Literally means 'purple sweet potato balls,' but is used colloquially to describe someone who is plump or chubby in a cute, endearing way. It's often used among friends to tease each other affectionately.

You are such a purple sweet potato ball; so cute!

摆摊 (bǎi tān)

This term means 'street vending' and describes the act of setting up a stall to sell goods or food, typically in a public space. It's often associated with entrepreneurship and the hustle culture.

I've decided to set up a stall this weekend to sell some handmade accessories.

盘子 (pán zi)

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.

打金 (dǎ jīn)

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

He earns thousands per month gold farming.

助攻 (zhù gōng)

This term translates to 'assist' and is frequently used in gaming or sports contexts to describe someone who helps another achieve success, particularly in scoring. It can also be used metaphorically in social situati...

She assisted me in this match, helping me win.

看海 (kàn hǎi)

Literally means 'to watch the sea', this term symbolizes a longing for freedom and relaxation, often associated with travel and escape from daily pressures.

I really want to go to the seaside to relax and watch the waves.

不怕冷 (bù pà lěng)

Translates to 'not afraid of the cold.' Used to describe someone who remains unfazed by criticism or challenges. It reflects a resilient attitude.

She is really not afraid of the cold, never backing down from criticism.

某某 (mǒu mǒu)

This term is akin to saying 'so-and-so' or 'someone' and is used to refer to unnamed people or things. It often appears in discussions when the actual names or specifics are not relevant or known.

So-and-so said today’s meeting has been canceled.

摇摇欲坠 (yáo yáo yù zhuì)

Translating to 'on the verge of collapse,' this term describes a situation or person that seems unstable or in danger of failing. It reflects a sense of impending crisis or urgency.

His emotions have been very unstable lately; it really worries me, on the verge of collapse.

奶茶经济 (nǎi chá jīng jì)

Literally meaning 'milk tea economy,' this term refers to the economic impact and popularity of bubble tea and similar beverages among young consumers. It symbolizes the spending power and consumption habits of the yo...

The milk tea economy is booming right now; everyone loves to drink it.

智障 (zhì zhàng)

This slang term means 'intellectually disabled' but is often used to humorously insult someone perceived as foolish or making poor decisions. It should be used cautiously due to its sensitive nature.

His performance today was really foolish.

未来可期 (wèi lái kě qī)

Meaning 'the future is promising,' this term expresses hope and positivity about what lies ahead. It’s commonly used to encourage others or to express optimism.

Although there are difficulties now, I believe the future is promising.

笑话 (xiào huà)

Literally means 'joke', but is often used to refer to absurd situations or behaviors that are laughable or ridiculous. It's a common way to describe entertaining moments.

This incident is truly a joke; I can't help but laugh.

洋葱 (yáng cōng)

Translating to 'onion,' this term refers to someone who has multiple layers of personality or emotional depth, making them complex and sometimes difficult to understand. It emphasizes the nuanced nature of individuals.

This friend is like an onion, always having unexpected sides.

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