Chinese Slang Dictionary — 3800+ Terms — Page 22 | 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

心爆 (xīn bào)

Translated as 'heart explosion', it describes an intense feeling of excitement or infatuation, often used in romantic contexts.

Seeing her smile made my heart explode.

抖音百合 (dǒuyīn bǎihé)

Referring to 'Douyin lilies', this term is associated with the coupling of unexpected or quirky pairs, often seen in humorous content on Douyin. It emphasizes the fun of unusual pairings.

This combination is just like Douyin lilies; it's so interesting!

模范生 (mó fàn shēng)

This term translates to 'model student' and is used to describe someone who excels in their studies or exhibits exemplary behavior. It reflects admiration for academic dedication and success.

He is always regarded as a model student in the class; everyone admires him.

壮汉 (zhuàng hàn)

Literally means 'strong man'. It is used to refer to muscular, powerful men, often in a humorous or exaggerated manner.

He works out hard; he's a strong man.

晴天霹雳 (qíng tiān pī lì)

Translating to 'a bolt from the blue,' this term describes an unexpected shock or surprising news. It captures the feeling of sudden change in a dramatic way.

His resignation was truly a bolt from the blue for me.

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.

孤独经济 (gū dú jīng jì)

Translating to 'lonely economy', this term refers to the phenomenon where businesses cater to individuals who are lonely, offering products and services aimed at solitary consumption. It highlights changing societal d...

The lonely economy is on the rise, with more and more people choosing to consume alone.

风格化 (fēnggé huà)

This term refers to the process of styling or personalized expression, particularly in aesthetics and fashion. It highlights an individual's unique traits and characteristics in their presentation or lifestyle, often ...

Her stylized makeup always catches people's eyes.

倒霉 (dǎo méi)

Literally 'bad luck,' this term is used to express frustration over unfortunate events or circumstances. It conveys a sense of being jinxed or unfairly treated.

Today I’m really unlucky; I lost my wallet.

怒赞 (nù zàn)

Translating to 'angry praise', this term describes the phenomenon where someone expresses their admiration for something while simultaneously feeling frustrated or angry about it. It combines admiration with a sense o...

This movie is amazing, though the ending left me in angry praise.

反向思维 (fǎn xiàng sī wéi)

Translating to 'reverse thinking', this term refers to a creative approach where one thinks in unconventional ways to solve problems. It often allows for innovative solutions and perspectives.

Using reverse thinking to solve problems can give you a different perspective.

鼓掌 (gǔ zhǎng)

This term means 'to clap' and is often used as an expression of approval or encouragement. It's prevalent in contexts where people show appreciation for someone's performance or achievement.

His performance deserves applause!

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.

失败不是我的错 (shī bài bù shì wǒ de cuò)

Translating to 'failure is not my fault', this expression is often used humorously to deflect blame in the context of a mistake or a loss. It conveys a sense of resilience and humor.

For this exam, I feel like failure is not my fault.

私藏 (sī cáng)

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.

个性签名 (gè xìng qiān míng)

Translating to 'personal signature,' this refers to the custom signature or quote that individuals use in their online profiles or social media. It's often a reflection of one's personality or current mood.

I changed my personal signature to let everyone know how I'm feeling lately.

贼好 (zéi hǎo)

This slang term means 'super good' or 'fantastic.' It's a casual way to express high approval and is often used in informal settings.

This dish is super delicious!

超理解 (chāo lǐ jiě)

Translating to 'super understanding,' used to express empathy or deep understanding, often emphasized in supportive contexts, like friendships or romantic relationships.

You really understand me on another level!

倍儿棒 (bèir bàng)

Absolutely fantastic, top notch — a very Beijing way to say something is excellent. 倍儿 is a Beijing 儿化 intensifier meaning super or extra, and 棒 means great. Quintessential hutong slang for something impressively good.

Today's meal was absolutely fantastic — even better than a restaurant.

回音 (huí yīn)

Translating to 'echo', it refers to situations where one's words or opinions resonate with others, often used in discussions about social media trends or content that gains a lot of attention.

This video has a big echo; everyone is discussing it.

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.

姨妈来了 (yí mā lái le)

Literally means 'Auntie has come' and refers to a woman’s menstrual period. It’s a euphemistic way of mentioning it to avoid directness.

I might not be available today; Auntie has come.

作弊 (zuò bì)

This term means 'cheating' and is commonly used to describe dishonest behavior, especially in academic or competitive contexts. It can also be used humorously in non-serious situations.

Today's exam was really difficult; it was tough to pass without cheating.

马云再现 (mǎ yún zài xiàn)

Referring to 'Jack Ma's return', this term describes a surprising comeback, especially in business or entertainment. It evokes the dramatic flair of unexpected success.

His idea feels like a surprising comeback from Jack Ma.

假烟 (jiǎ yān)

Literally 'fake cigarettes', this term is often used to describe counterfeit or subpar products, especially in a humorous context. It can refer to anything that is not genuine or authentic.

The quality of this clothing is really subpar.

推特式思维 (tuī tè shì sī wéi)

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.

过气明星 (guòqì míngxīng)

Translating to 'past star,' this term refers to celebrities who were once popular but are now forgotten or no longer in the spotlight. It is often used in gossiping about the entertainment industry.

His movie is considered a work of a has-been star, but it’s actually not bad.

大姨妈 (dà yí mā)

Literally meaning 'big aunt', this euphemism refers to menstruation. It’s often used humorously among women when discussing their periods.

I’ve been feeling a bit unwell lately; it might be that my big aunt has arrived.

麻麻叨叨 (má má dāo dāo)

Translates to 'repetitive nagging.' It describes someone who keeps repeating themselves or complaining about the same issue. It's often used endearingly to describe parents or caregivers.

I’m annoyed by the repetitive nagging voice.

打工工资 (dǎ gōng zī)

Literally means 'working salary', this term highlights discussions around wage issues faced by workers today, symbolizing the struggles and hopes of the working class.

The working salary is too low; life is getting harder.

智斗 (zhì dòu)

This slang translates to 'wit duel,' used to describe situations where individuals engage in clever banter or arguments, often filled with humor and sarcasm. It showcases the art of verbal sparring.

They were engaging in a wit duel in the comments; it was very fun.

369 (sān liù jiǔ)

This number is used as a slang term representing various things, from '3-6-9' as a meme to signify mystery and unpredictability. It often pops up in humorous contexts.

He always likes to use 369 to tease everyone.

不入流 (bù rù liú)

Translating to 'out of the mainstream,' this term refers to things or people that are not considered fashionable or popular. It's often used to describe someone or something that is seen as low quality or out of touch.

This phone is a bit out of the mainstream; not many people use it.

盖世英雄 (gài shì yīng xióng)

Translating to 'world-saving hero,' this term is used sarcastically to describe someone who is overly confident or self-important. It plays on the idea of heroism but often implies they aren't as great as they think.

His performance today was truly that of a self-proclaimed hero.

打工风云 (dǎgōng fēngyún)

Literally 'the wind and clouds of working life', this term captures the turbulent and often unpredictable nature of modern work environments. It symbolizes the challenges faced by workers.

In this large company, the tumult of working life unfolds every day.

内卷 (nèi juǎn)

Involution - excessive, often pointless competition among peers. Originally an academic term, now used to describe rat-race behavior where people work harder just to stay in place.

The job market is so competitive now, everyone is getting certifications.

打水漂 (dǎ shuǐpiāo)

This idiom translates to 'skipping stones on water,' and in slang usage, it refers to a situation where someone's efforts are wasted or produce no benefits. It reflects a sense of disappointment.

This plan has really gone to waste; it was completely useless.

宅文化 (zhái wén huà)

Meaning 'homebody culture', this term refers to the lifestyle and habits of people who prefer staying at home, often engaging in activities like gaming, watching movies, or reading. It celebrates the comfort of home l...

I think homebody culture is cool; we should stay home together.

十万火急 (shí wàn huǒ jí)

Translating to 'ten thousand fires urgent,' this phrase describes a situation that requires immediate attention or action, indicating a high level of urgency.

I have something extremely urgent to tell you!

偶像包袱 (ǒu xiàng bāo fu)

Literally 'idol burden,' this term is used to describe the pressure and responsibility that public figures or idols feel to maintain their image. It indicates the expectations placed on them by fans and society.

As an idol, she often feels the burden of maintaining her image.

全网 (quán wǎng)

Translating to 'the entire internet,' this term is used to emphasize that something is widely known or discussed across various online platforms.

This issue is being widely discussed across the entire internet.

全网爆红 (quán wǎng bào hóng)

This term means 'to become a sensation across the internet', used to describe trends or individuals that go viral and gain massive attention online. It's often applied to videos, memes, or social movements.

This challenge video has become a sensation across the internet; everyone is imitating it.

滚 (gǔn)

Get lost! / Screw off! (blunt dismissal)

Get lost! Don't ever appear in front of me again!

求怜悯 (qiú lián mǐn)

Translating to 'asking for mercy,' this phrase sarcastically describes when someone is exaggerating their misfortune to gain sympathy or pity, often in a humorous context.

He always asks for mercy; it’s really both funny and frustrating.

聚光灯下 (jù guāng dēng xià)

Translating to 'under the spotlight,' this phrase describes being in a position where one is the center of attention, often used to refer to celebrities or public figures.

Under the spotlight, he always appears perfect.

父母天花板 (fùmǔ tiānhuābǎn)

This humorous phrase translates to 'parents’ ceiling' and refers to the pressure children feel to meet their parents' expectations or standards. It highlights the generational gap in ambitions and aspirations.

I feel like I have a long way to go to meet my parents' ceiling.

零花钱 (Línghuāqián)

Refers to 'pocket money' and is often used in contexts discussing personal finance among young people. It implies the funds one has for discretionary spending.

I have a lot of pocket money this month; I can buy many new clothes.

颜控 (yán kòng)

Literally 'face control,' this term refers to people who are very particular about appearances, especially physical attractiveness. It highlights a trend in dating and social preferences.

He is a face control; he only likes good-looking people.

404 (sì líng sì)

Censored / disappeared / not found — borrowed from the HTTP 404 error code. In Chinese internet culture, 404 refers to content deleted or blocked by censorship. "404'd" means something has been scrubbed from the Chine...

That article has been 404'd — it's gone.

Page 22 of 78 — 3,856 total terms