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.
Translates to 'uncanny valley,' used to describe the eeriness felt towards robots or animations that look almost human. It's often discussed in the context of technology and AI.
Seeing that robot, which looks almost human, made me feel like I was in the uncanny valley.
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.
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 phrase literally means 'a salted fish turning over' and refers to someone who has undergone a significant change in life, often from a state of laziness or mediocrity to one of success. It embodies the idea of re...
He finally found a good job; it's truly a case of turning over a salted fish!
Translating to 'Worker's Day,' it humorously refers to any day spent working hard, especially when people wish they could take a break instead. This term often highlights the grind of everyday work life.
Today is Worker's Day; everyone is exhausted.
Meaning 'to order takeout', this commonplace phrase reflects the modern convenience of food delivery, especially among busy urban dwellers. It represents a significant aspect of contemporary dining culture.
I worked overtime too late today, so I decided to order takeout.
Spare tire / Backup - A backup romantic option.
I do not want to be his backup.
Refers to a 'Twitter-style mindset,' characterized by concise communication and immediate responses, often focusing on trends and current events. It suggests a tendency towards superficial engagement.
In our information-exploding era, many people have developed a Twitter-style mindset.
Backdoor deal / nepotism / ass-kissing transaction — PY is a vulgar abbreviation for 屁眼 (pì yǎn, "a**hole"). PY交易 refers to shady deals done through personal connections, favors, or bribery rather than merit. Used to ...
This award is obviously a backdoor deal — has nothing to do with actual talent.
Literally meaning 'sponsor', this term is often used sarcastically to imply someone is a supporter or backer of a certain behavior or idea. It can be used in a playful or critical context.
His performance today makes me wonder if he’s my sponsor.
Translating to 'do not forget the original intention', this term encourages individuals to remain true to their values and motivations, especially in the face of challenges.
It's important to not forget the original intention on the path to success.
This term literally means 'to plant rice seedlings,' but in slang, it refers to someone who is overly eager or desperate for attention, often in romantic or social contexts.
At the party, his performance was a bit desperate, making it awkward.
Literally meaning 'to play with monkeys', this slang refers to making someone the subject of ridicule or manipulation, often used in a playful context.
He always likes to make a fool out of me, turning me into a joke.
Meaning 'there's no saving it', this phrase is often used humorously to describe a hopeless or dire situation. It can refer to anything from personal problems to failed attempts at tasks.
My life is hopeless; it's such a mess.
Translating to 'useless certificate', this term is used to mock degrees or qualifications that don't offer practical value in the job market. It reflects a growing skepticism about education and its worth.
Many people feel disappointed by such useless qualifications.
Translating to 'mindset explosion', this term describes a situation where someone can't handle stress or frustration anymore, often resulting in an emotional outburst. It's used humorously among friends to describe re...
Facing so much pressure, I'm about to explode mentally.
While it literally means 'to cook rice', it is used metaphorically in memes to refer to doing things efficiently or producing good results, especially in gaming.
He did really well in the game today, cooking up some great plays.
Translating to 'dream combination', this term refers to a perfect pairing or collaboration that many people aspire to see, such as in music or film. It reflects idealistic views about partnerships.
The collaboration between these two stars is truly a dream combination!
This term translates to 'private collection' and describes things, like music or media, that someone keeps for themselves, often referring to hidden gems that are not widely known. It evokes a sense of exclusivity.
I have some hidden music gems I want to share with you.
This term means 'group buying' and refers to individuals coming together to purchase items at a lower price. It signifies a collaborative effort to save money on purchases and is popular in e-commerce discussions.
We can group buy some items; it’s more cost-effective.
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.
This term translates to 'to provoke heat,' and is used to describe something or someone that is attractive or sexy. It can also refer to doing something daring or provocative.
She looks so attractive in that dress.
Iron Dummy — affectionate nickname for robots, especially delivery robots and service robots, that are visibly limited or fail in endearing ways.
That food delivery robot got stuck spinning in the doorway — what an iron dummy.
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.
Of all martial arts under heaven, only speed is unbreakable. A famous wuxia maxim used online to justify doing anything fast — fast replies, fast shipping, fast food, fast decisions — with mock martial-arts gravitas.
For food delivery, the only unbreakable skill is speed.
Super / way too / really — a Beijing dialect intensifier used before adjectives to mean extremely. 忒贵 means way too expensive, 忒好 means really great. It is the Beijing equivalent of 太 but carries a stronger working-cl...
This thing is way too expensive — there is no way I can afford that.
This term translates to 'contrast cuteness', describing a situation or character where their appearance contradicts their personality, creating an unexpected charm. It’s often used in discussions about characters in m...
The contrast cuteness of this character leaves a deep impression.
Literally 'dark circles under the eyes', this term describes the visible signs of tiredness or lack of sleep, often used to express the struggles of balancing work and personal life.
I stayed up late working last night, and today my dark circles are really obvious.
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.
This term means 'minimalism', referring to a lifestyle that advocates simplicity and reducing material possessions. It's used in discussions around lifestyle choices, interior design, and fashion.
I've recently started pursuing a minimalist lifestyle.
Translating to 'clear,' this term is often used to describe something that is easy to understand or perceive. It is used to compliment clarity in communication or thought.
Your explanation is very clear, and it helped me understand.
Translating to 'Onmyoji', this term often refers to practitioners in Japanese folklore but is popularly used in gaming contexts, especially referring to players of the game 'Onmyoji'. It reflects cultural crossovers a...
Recently, I’ve become obsessed with Onmyoji; it’s such a great game.
Meaning 'old aunt', this slang is often used in a playful manner to refer to women who are seen as giving unsolicited advice or who embody a certain traditional view. It can also be a tongue-in-cheek comment about old...
You've become an old aunt again, stop worrying about others!
Short for 'original character', this term refers to unique characters created by fans within fandom communities, such as in anime or gaming. It's often used to share and promote personal creations.
I drew my original character and am ready to share it in the forum.
Literally 'unable to find north', used to describe feeling lost or confused, often in the context of decision-making or direction in life.
I really feel lost during this time; I don't know how to face it.
This term, imitating the sound of a gentle pat, expresses affection and care, particularly towards pets or loved ones. It conveys warmth and is often used in casual conversations.
Good baby, pat pat.
Translating to 'ride the hot spots', this term refers to the practice of taking advantage of trending topics or events to gain attention or relevance, especially in marketing and social media.
Many brands leverage hot spots to increase their visibility.
Translating to 'melon crowd', this term refers to people who are interested in gossip or drama but are not directly involved, akin to spectators.
This debate attracted a lot of melon crowd.
Translating to 'let it be natural,' this phrase suggests taking things as they come and not forcing situations, promoting a relaxed approach to life.
When it comes to relationships, let it be natural; don't rush.
Meaning 'unclear meaning', this term is often used in discussions about memes or posts that are confusing or nonsensical. It can describe a lack of clarity in intentions or messages.
The meaning of this picture is unclear, leaving people puzzled.
This phrase means 'divergent thinking' and is used to describe a creative approach where multiple ideas are generated. It is often discussed in contexts of brainstorming or problem-solving.
During this meeting, we encourage everyone to engage in divergent thinking.
The word means 'to wander' or 'to roam,' often used to describe a carefree or aimless lifestyle. In internet slang, it can refer to free-spirited individuals enjoying life without commitments.
I want to live a wandering life, free and unburdened.
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!
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.
Literally meaning 'check the water meter', this term has become a euphemism for someone coming to check on you when you’re not supposed to be doing something, often implying an unwelcome intrusion.
You've been working from home too long, and now a friend comes to check on you; it’s really inconvenient.
This is the onomatopoeic representation of laughter in Chinese and is often used in digital communication. It indicates amusement or humor, similar to 'lol' in English.
What you said is so funny, I can't help but laugh out loud.
Translating to 'money-making', this term refers to schemes or tactics designed purely for profit, often with a negative connotation. It reflects a sense of caution against opportunistic behaviors, especially in business.
The goal of this project is just to make money without any real value.
Means 'cultivation' or 'training,' often used in the context of self-improvement or personal growth efforts, including skills and character development.
I've been focusing on cultivating my professional skills lately.
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.
Yeah, that's right / uh-huh — a distinctly Beijing affirmative sound used to agree, confirm, or acknowledge. More casual and warm than a standard 对 (correct). Unmistakably northern Chinese and a strong marker of genui...
You said we are meeting tomorrow? Uh-huh, I will message you then.
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