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
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.
Translating to 'working rocket,' this term humorously describes the phenomenon of people quickly changing jobs or 'launching' into new careers, reminiscent of a rocket taking off. It reflects a desire for rapid advanc...
In this industry, job-hopping is very common.
Translating to 'big brain opening,' this term describes thinking outside the box or coming up with creative and unusual ideas. It signifies a burst of imaginative thought.
His ideas are truly creative and refreshing.
Translating to 'personally take the field', this term means to personally get involved in something, especially in contexts that require direct action or leadership. It suggests a proactive attitude.
In this project, I decided to personally get involved.
Literally meaning 'not a human,' this term is often used to describe someone who is exceptionally good at something, to the point where their skills seem superhuman. It can be used seriously or humorously.
Her talent in dancing is truly not human.
Translating to 'main theme', this term refers to the dominant narrative or trend in society, often used in political or cultural discussions. It highlights the prevailing ideas or sentiments shaping public opinion.
The current main theme in society is calling for more inclusivity and understanding.
Translating to 'smile wrinkles,' this term is used to describe the fine lines that appear when someone smiles. It carries a positive connotation, celebrating aging gracefully and the beauty of life's experiences.
Her smile wrinkles make her look even more charming.
Translating to 'funny' or 'humorous', this term is used to describe content or situations that are meant to provoke laughter or amusement.
This video is so funny; I can’t stop laughing.
Translating to 'one breath,' this term describes doing something in one go or a continuous effort without stopping. It’s often used to express endurance or determination.
I watched this series in one go; it was so good!
Translating to 'empty head', this term is used to express a feeling of confusion or being overwhelmed, often after too much information or stress. It reflects a humorous take on mental exhaustion.
Today’s class was too difficult; my head feels empty.
Ambiguous relationship - The unclear flirty stage between friends and dating.
They are flirty but not officially together.
Literal translation means 'rice bug', referring to someone who is lazy and lives off others, often implying a sense of entitlement without contributing.
He’s just a rice bug, staying at home all day.
Translating to 'cool summer', this term is often used to describe refreshing experiences during the hot summer months, especially related to food or activities.
This ice cream gives me a cool summer feeling.
Translating to 'pouring clarified butter on the crown', this term refers to receiving enlightenment or sudden realization, often from insightful conversation or knowledge. It implies a profound understanding.
His speech enlightened me, and I understood many things.
Translating to 'emotional management,' this term refers to the practice of managing one's emotions effectively, especially in stressful situations. It has gained importance in discussions about mental health.
Emotional management is very important in the workplace.
Literally meaning 'explosive,' this term is used to describe something extremely popular, often trending or in high demand. It indicates that something is hot in terms of popularity.
This product is currently explosively popular online.
Literally means 'to tan,' used to refer to someone getting darker due to sun exposure. It can also signify someone who enjoys showing off their summer adventures or leisure activities online.
I got tanned this summer, really happy about it.
This phrase means 'everything exists in dreams' and is used to express dissatisfaction with reality. It's often humorously applied in situations where someone wishes they could have something unattainable.
I think every day, everything exists in dreams; reality just doesn’t go well.
Translating to 'love is supreme,' it expresses a philosophy where romantic love is placed above all other priorities, often leading to humorous or exaggerated situations.
He always puts love above everything else and doesn’t even want to work.
Translating to 'pretend not to care,' this term is used to describe a facade of indifference, often in romantic contexts where someone is trying to hide their feelings. It’s a way to express vulnerability masked by br...
I’m pretending not to care, but I actually do care a lot.
Translating to 'how to resolve worries', this phrase is often used to reflect on sources of comfort or relief during stressful times. It’s commonly used in discussions on mental well-being.
Music is a good remedy for resolving worries.
Translating to 'Buddha system love', it describes a laid-back approach to romantic relationships, where individuals are not overly concerned about perfection or pressure.
I just want a laid-back romance; I’ll go with the flow.
Literally meaning 'colored egg,' this term refers to hidden surprises or Easter eggs in media, such as movies, games, or events. It often adds an element of excitement to the experience.
This movie has a lot of hidden surprises; it's worth watching.
Literally means 'rocket launch'. It refers to a situation that escalates quickly or an event that becomes very popular in a short amount of time.
His short video launched like a rocket and became popular overnight.
Translating to 'love and kill each other,' this phrase describes a relationship characterized by both love and conflict, often used in the context of romantic relationships that are tumultuous yet passionate.
Their relationship is truly one of love and conflict; it's both amusing and heartbreaking.
Translating to 'strong' or 'dominant,' this term describes a person who is assertive or aggressive in their approach to life or competition. It's often used in business or social contexts.
She is a strong woman who always dominates the meetings.
This expression means 'unique insight' and is used to praise someone's ability to see things differently or recognize talent or potential in others. It's often applied in professional and creative contexts.
She has unique insight when choosing actors.
Literally meaning 'can be beaten in front of mom', this term describes a situation or person who is so bad at something that even their mother would disapprove. It’s often used humorously to critique poor skills or ch...
He really performed poorly in this competition; even simple tasks were done wrong!
This phrase translates to 'take things seriously' and is used to describe a situation where someone treats something with undue seriousness or gravity. It often implies that the seriousness is exaggerated or unnecessary.
He took this minor issue very seriously, which is really amusing.
This term means 'handy' or 'convenient', referring to something that is easy to use or manage, often highlighting efficiency or practicality in tasks. It’s used to express comfort in action.
This tool is very handy to use and saves a lot of time.
Literally translating to 'after tea and meals,' this term refers to casual conversations that happen after meals, often involving gossip or light-hearted discussions. It's a relaxing way to bond socially.
Let’s chat about casual matters during our gathering tonight.
Meaning 'visible to the naked eye,' it's often used humorously to emphasize something that is obvious or clear. It can convey a sense of incredulity or sarcasm regarding a situation.
His laziness is obvious to everyone; even his colleagues can't stand it.
Literally meaning 'floating clouds', this term is used to signify something insignificant or not worth worrying about. It's often used in contexts to downplay serious issues or to express indifference.
This matter is insignificant, don’t take it too seriously.
This phrase means 'to join in the fun' or 'to make a scene' and is often used when people participate in social events or trends just for the excitement, rather than having a specific goal.
They are just joining in for the fun; they don’t care about the essence of the matter.
Translating to 'the number one in the universe,' this term is often exaggeratedly used to describe something or someone that is exceptional or unmatched. It shows enthusiasm and admiration.
This outfit is truly the best in the universe!
Meaning 'warning', this term can indicate a serious alert or advice to be cautious, often used humorously in memes to exaggerate everyday situations. It’s a common way to highlight potential issues in a playful manner.
She sent a warning message reminding everyone not to be late.
Literally '闲鱼' refers to a platform for second-hand trading, but it has also become a term for those who are aimlessly idle or who sell used goods. It implies a casual, laid-back approach to life.
I sold a few items I didn't need on the闲鱼 platform.
Literally meaning 'a forcibly twisted melon,' this slang is used to describe something that is unnatural or forced, often in relationships or situations. It's a way to say that a forced outcome is not genuine.
A forcibly twisted melon isn't sweet, and this relationship is the same.
Literally meaning 'shop assistant,' this term is often used to refer to someone who is overly attentive or helpful in a humorous or sarcastic way, suggesting they are acting like a servant or a very compliant person.
He’s always as enthusiastic as a shop assistant in front of his friends.
Translating to 'critique point,' this term refers to the aspects of a situation or content that are particularly worthy of comment or ridicule. It's often used in memes or humorous discussions.
This movie has so many critique points; I couldn't help but complain.
Literally 'sorry to disturb,' this phrase is commonly used in a casual tone to indicate lightheartedness when interrupting someone. It's akin to saying 'pardon the interruption' in English.
Sorry to disturb, I just wanted to ask about this matter.
Translates to 'desktop literature,' referring to short, easily digestible content like memes or quotes shared on social media. It represents the trend of quick consumption of information.
This kind of desktop literature is really interesting, it makes me laugh out loud.
Meaning 'tech nerd', it describes individuals who are deeply immersed in technology, often to the exclusion of social interaction. It can be affectionate or teasing.
He’s such a tech nerd, programming all day long.
Translating to 'it's just because I'm too difficult', this phrase expresses a sense of struggle or difficulty in life situations, often used humorously to cope with challenges. It suggests that one feels overwhelmed b...
Every time I do homework, I think: it’s just because I’m too difficult.
Translating to 'indifference is gold', this phrase suggests that being indifferent or unemotional is a valuable trait, often used humorously to condone detachment in social interactions.
In this era, indifference is gold; too many people are disappointing.
This term translates to 'return' and is often used in discussions about returning to one's roots or original values, especially in cultural or social contexts. It signifies a shift in perspective or lifestyle.
I've been thinking about how to return to a simpler life recently.
This term translates to 'curling one’s lip' and indicates a dismissive or contemptuous attitude towards something. It is often used in social situations to express disagreement or skepticism.
As soon as he said that, I couldn’t help but curl my lip in disdain.
This phrase means 'really ridiculous' or 'absurd' and is often used to express disbelief or annoyance at someone's actions or statements. It's commonly used in light-hearted banter.
He said he drank ten bottles of beer last night; that's really ridiculous!
Meaning 'lack of money,' this term is a humorous way to refer to financial constraints or being broke. It's often expressed in a light-hearted manner, often used in memes and jokes.
I've really been lacking money lately, I need to find a way to earn some.
Translates to 'small complaints.' This term refers to minor grievances people share with each other, often in a light-hearted context. It emphasizes the human tendency to vent about trivial issues.
My small complaint about work is that I always have to work overtime.