捞偏门 (lāo piān mén)
Literally 'to fish in the side door,' it refers to engaging in side jobs or unorthodox methods of earning money, often implying a sense of opportunism or taking risks.
He always looks for side jobs and small businesses.
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.
Literally 'to fish in the side door,' it refers to engaging in side jobs or unorthodox methods of earning money, often implying a sense of opportunism or taking risks.
He always looks for side jobs and small businesses.
This translates to 'instant noodles' and is often used metaphorically to describe quick, convenient meals or life choices. It also reflects a casual lifestyle.
I just want to eat instant noodles tonight; I’m too tired.
Meaning 'soulless', this term is used to describe something that lacks depth or authenticity, often applied to art, culture, or social interactions. It conveys a sense of disappointment.
Although this movie has good box office numbers, I feel it lacks soul.
Meaning 'new hand', this term is used to refer to beginners in any field, especially gaming, hobbies, and work. It’s often used in friendly contexts to indicate someone still learning.
As a newcomer, I still have a lot to learn.
Literally meaning 'melon skin', this term is used to describe someone who is silly or foolish, often in a lighthearted manner. It can also refer to absurd situations or comments, similar to calling someone a 'goofball'.
He's such a goofball; he actually believes that rumor.
Translating to 'deductive reasoning and puzzles', this term refers to activities that involve solving mysteries or puzzles, popular in online games and real-life escape rooms. It emphasizes logical thinking.
I enjoy puzzle-solving games; they exercise my brain.
This term refers to someone who is overly obsessed with something, often used in a humorous or mocking context. It can imply that the person's passion has crossed into fanaticism.
He's really obsessed, he loves this TV show to the point of madness.
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.
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.
Healing genre — a category of content or aesthetics with a soothing, restorative quality. Originally from Japanese iyashikei, it describes anything — videos, animals, food, slow life — that makes you feel calm and hea...
Snow Mountain Fox Rescue is typical healing-genre content — I felt much less stressed after watching.
This term translates to 'change name,' often used in online contexts when users change their usernames or online identities, reflecting digital reinvention.
I feel like I should change my account name to switch up my style.
Translating to 'plot twist', this term is used in discussing stories, movies, or dramas where unexpected changes occur. It reflects the audience's engagement with narratives that defy expectations.
The plot twist in this story took me by surprise!
This term translates to 'worker', similar to '打工人', but with a slightly more formal tone. It refers to people who work under employment instead of being self-employed or entrepreneurs.
As workers, we need to voice our rights.
Translating to 'otaku male/female deity,' this term refers to someone (often a celebrity or influencer) who is idolized by homebodies and fans of geek culture. It implies that the person embodies qualities admired by ...
She is simply my otaku goddess; every time I see her videos, I want to follow her.
Translating to 'kindergarten diplomacy', it humorously describes immature or naive attempts at negotiation or social interactions. This term suggests a lack of seriousness in handling disputes.
His kindergarten diplomacy makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
Translating to 'home man/home woman', these terms refer to individuals who prefer staying at home and often engage in hobbies like gaming, watching movies, or reading. They are often associated with a subculture that ...
He's a typical home guy, spending weekends at home playing games.
Meaning 'crematorium', this term refers to a situation where someone's hopes or dreams are crushed. It's often used in a humorous context to describe failures or disappointments.
I thought I could win first place, but it turned out to be just a crematorium.
Translating to 'defeated dog,' this term describes someone who has failed in love or life, often used humorously to refer to single people or those experiencing romantic struggles.
I'm a defeated dog right now; I really hope to find a partner.
This term translates to 'self-defeating' and is used to describe situations where someone undermines their own efforts. It reflects a sense of personal failure or self-sabotage.
I studied hard for this exam, but I still undermined myself.
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.
Translating to 'the game crashed', this phrase is used in gaming contexts when a game encounters technical issues or crashes. It reflects the frustrations gamers experience, particularly in online play.
I was playing a game just now, and then the game crashed.
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.
Happy water - Coca-Cola or sugary drinks.
Get me some happy water!
Translating to 'eating watermelon,' it refers to casually watching or observing drama unfold, especially on social media. It denotes a sense of detachment and amusement while enjoying the show.
Seeing their argument, I can only sit on the sidelines and watch the drama unfold.
The benevolent have no enemies — a Confucian ideal woven through wuxia narratives, arguing that true moral greatness makes you invincible because no one can truly oppose a just person. Used online both sincerely and i...
He is kind to everyone — the benevolent have no enemies, and everyone loves him.
Literally 'empty nest youth', this term describes young adults who live alone, often away from their families. It addresses the loneliness and challenges they face while adapting to independent life.
As an empty nest youth, I sometimes feel lonely.
Literally 'Tai Chi Punch', it refers to someone who is overly cautious or slow to make a decision, often because they are weighing all possible outcomes. This term is often used to describe people who overthink situat...
You're really being overly cautious; just decide already!
Referring to the historic battle, this term metaphorically describes a significant defeat or setback, often in a competitive or professional context. It's used to highlight unexpected failures.
This exam is my Waterloo; I think I'll fail.
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.
This term refers specifically to the phonetic transcription of Chinese characters using the Latin alphabet. It's essential for language learning, allowing non-native speakers to pronounce Mandarin correctly.
While learning Chinese characters, 'pinyin' is also very important.
Meaning 'to eat dust,' this term is used to describe items that are unused or neglected, especially gadgets or hobbies that someone has lost interest in. It indicates a waste of potential or resources.
My new gaming console is now gathering dust.
This term means 'so many people' and is often used to express surprise at the number of participants or audience members in an event, typically in an exaggerated context.
So many people are attending this event!
This phrase means 'live in the moment,' urging individuals to focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or future. It's often used in wellness and mindfulness discussions.
Enjoy life, live in the moment.
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?
This term means 'reverse sculpture', often referring to creating a new trend or style that opposes the mainstream. It's used in fashion, art, and cultural discussions about nonconformity.
His designs are always reverse sculptures, challenging traditional aesthetics.
Translating to 'seeing it also makes you laugh', this term is used to refer to content that is so funny or absurd that just the thought of it brings laughter.
This video is really funny; just seeing it makes me laugh!
Meaning 'lively' or 'agile', this term is used to describe someone or something that is dynamic, energetic, or charmingly animated. It’s often used in performance or artistic contexts to celebrate expression.
This dance performance is really lively and captivates the audience.
Literally means 'ice cream economy'. It refers to a transient economic approach, often characterized by the idea of enjoying short-lived pleasures which can apply to spending habits and lifestyle choices.
Today's young people pursue the ice cream economy, enjoying the moment without thinking about the future.
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.
Meaning 'to lie down' or 'to slump', this term describes the act of relaxing in an unstructured or lazy manner, often used humorously to refer to moments of giving up stress and responsibilities.
Today I just want to lie down and watch shows, not do anything.
This phrase literally means 'water and soil are not suitable', referring to feeling uncomfortable or unwell, especially in a new environment. It carries a sense of adaptation issues.
I just moved to a new city and feel uncomfortable.
God of Cookery — both the title of Stephen Chow's 1996 film and a title bestowed on someone whose cooking is so extraordinary it transcends normal human skill. Used as ultimate hyperbolic praise for anything culinary-...
Your mom's red braised pork is at the God of Cookery level — absolutely incredible.
Meaning 'self-take,' this term refers to selfies or self-portraits shared on social media platforms. It's a popular way for individuals to share moments and express their identity.
I want to try different styles of selfies today.
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.
Meaning 'emotionless' or 'indifferent,' this term is often used to express a lack of interest or excitement about something that others might find exciting. It's a way of saying something feels flat.
After watching this movie, I really felt indifferent; nothing special about it.
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!
This term means 'pretend to be serious', often used in a playful context where someone feigns seriousness for comedic effect. It highlights a humorous approach to situations that are typically more serious.
I pretended to be serious during the meeting, but in reality, I was thinking about something else.
Translating to 'fully contentious', this term describes someone who loves to argue or debate. It's often used to ridicule those who take opposing views for the sake of contention.
He’s always fully contentious in discussions, just arguing for the sake of it.
Literally 'prodigal son', this term refers to someone who is carefree and enjoys life to the fullest, often without responsibilities. It's commonly used in a more humorous context to describe a young man who indulges ...
He's a prodigal son, always out having fun.
Peerless master — a martial artist of supreme, unrivaled skill in wuxia fiction. Used online as enthusiastic hyperbole for anyone who is exceptionally good at anything — cooking, gaming, studying, even parking a car.
The speed at which he codes — he is an absolute peerless master!
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