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.
Translating to 'pretending not to know', this phrase describes the act of feigning ignorance to avoid responsibility or to get out of a situation. It's often used in both a humorous and critical context.
He always pretends not to know how to do his homework; it really makes me angry.
Translating to 'emotionally stable,' this phrase is often used to describe someone who remains calm and collected in various situations, but can also be sarcastically applied to someone who is clearly not stable.
He seems emotionally stable, but inside, he’s very anxious.
Referring to a popular Chinese chili sauce brand, this term is used humorously to symbolize anything that adds flavor or excitement to life, often in a deceptively simple way.
This seasoning is like Lao Gan Ma; it adds so much flavor to the dish.
Translating to 'Tiger mom and wolf dad,' this term refers to strict parenting styles that excessively push children to excel. It symbolizes the high expectations placed on the younger generation.
Many parents nowadays are tiger moms and wolf dads, putting a lot of pressure on their children.
Translating to 'myriad phenomena of the world', this term describes the rich and varied experiences of life. It's often used in poetic or philosophical contexts.
Life is a myriad of phenomena, with new discoveries every day.
Literally meaning 'mutual harm,' this term humorously describes relationships or interactions that are filled with playful teasing or banter that might seem hurtful but is done in good spirit.
Our relationship is all about mutual harm, haha.
Translating to 'cow head,' this term refers to someone who acts stubbornly or is unwilling to change their mind, often in a humorous or lighthearted context. It can describe strong-willed personalities.
He really is a stubborn person; he won't listen to anyone.
Translating to 'truth', this term is often used in discussions surrounding uncovering facts or realities, particularly in relation to scandals or rumors. It conveys the pursuit of deeper understanding in a situation.
Everyone is guessing; what is the truth?
Translating to 'emotional trash', this term is used to describe individuals who are overwhelmed by their emotions or are unable to manage their feelings effectively. It often carries a humorous, self-deprecating conno...
I've been such an emotional wreck lately; it’s really tough.
Literally meaning 'to pretend to be cool or superior,' this term is used to describe someone who shows off or tries to impress others with their perceived superiority or status.
He always acts superior, and everyone finds it annoying.
Meaning 'to dodge', this term describes someone who avoids confrontation or attention, often used humorously to express wishful escape from awkward situations. It hints at the desire for avoidance in social interactions.
Faced with awkward questions, he chose to dodge.
Means 'not falling into cliches', it denotes originality or uniqueness in thoughts, actions, or ideas, often used to compliment someone’s creativity.
His works are always original and very creative.
Translates to 'highlight' or 'shining point.' This term is used to refer to a person's strengths or the most impressive aspects of something, often used in evaluations or discussions about talents.
Her shining points in the speech left a deep impression on everyone.
Translating to 'milk tea sister', this term is often used to describe a young lady who enjoys drinking milk tea, a popular beverage in China. It reflects not only a love for the drink but also a youthful lifestyle oft...
She's really a milk tea sister, always carrying her milk tea when she goes out.
Literally meaning 'to pay the bill,' this term is commonly used when dining out, often carrying an implication of who should take responsibility for payment in social gatherings.
Let me treat you to dinner today; I’ll pay the bill.
Literally translating to 'vegetable loser', this slang is used to describe someone who is unskilled or lacking in ability, often in a lighthearted or humorous context. It can target gamers, students, or individuals in...
You were such a loser in this competition, you forgot even the basic rules.
Translating to 'rational' or 'sensible,' this term is often used to encourage people to think logically rather than emotionally, especially in heated debates or discussions.
In this kind of debate, we need to stay rational.
Translating to 'divorce cooling-off period,' this term describes the legally mandated waiting period before a couple can finalize a divorce, often used humorously in discussions about relationship struggles.
I think we need a divorce cooling-off period.
Literally translating to 'hot pot of the human world', this term refers to very high-quality or desirable experiences, often in food culture. It emphasizes indulgence and enjoyment.
Tonight's dinner is the hot pot of the human world; I am so satisfied.
Translating to 'to open the door and see the mountain,' this idiom means to get straight to the point. It reflects a preference for clear, direct communication.
Let's get straight to the point and discuss the collaboration.
Short for 'supermodel', it is often used to describe someone who has model-like qualities, not only in appearance but also in their attitude or presence. It can also be used humorously or ironically.
The way she walks is simply supermodel level.
'油管' is a colloquial term for YouTube, derived from its name meaning 'oil pipes.' It refers to the platform itself or the content therein, often used by younger audiences for sharing videos.
I found a lot of interesting videos on YouTube.
Translating to 'national husband', this term refers to a man who is widely adored by the public, often a celebrity or influencer whose appeal transcends normal fandom.
He is the national husband in the hearts of many.
Shipping couples - Being enthusiastic about romantic pairings, either real celebrities or fictional characters. 'CP' comes from 'coupling'.
I've been obsessively shipping this couple lately, they're so sweet!
Translating to 'real chicken soup', this term refers to overly sentimental or motivational phrases that are supposed to uplift but can seem clichéd or insincere. It is often used sarcastically.
After hearing his words, I feel like this is real chicken soup.
Referring to a group of people who often slack off at work or school. It captures a collective mindset where the focus is on avoiding hard work while still maintaining the appearance of productivity.
We’ve become a group that slacks off, and life feels much easier now.
Translating to 'to bury a landmine,' this phrase is used to describe setting a trap or creating a difficult situation for someone, especially in social media or personal interactions. It often carries a mischievous co...
He set a trap in the group, and everyone was amused by him.
Translating to 'friend circle,' it refers to the social networking feature in WeChat where users can share updates and photos. It symbolizes the importance of social media in maintaining connections.
I just posted a new photo on my friend circle.
This phrase translates to 'hard mouth soft heart,' referring to someone who might appear tough or unsympathetic outwardly but is genuinely kind and caring deep down. It describes a common emotional duality.
He looks cool, but actually he is a hard mouth soft heart person.
Ambiguous relationship - The unclear flirty stage between friends and dating.
They are flirty but not officially together.
Internal energy cultivation — the deep, invisible martial arts power developed through years of meditation and practice in wuxia. Online, used to mean the hidden depth or foundational skills that make someone genuinel...
His copywriting looks simple, but his internal energy runs deep — every word carries weight.
This refers to being in a tough economic situation, with '159' symbolizing 'one five nine' which phonetically relates to poverty in Chinese. Used humorously or sarcastically.
This month, I'm again in a tough economic situation; I'm out of money.
Like a flower — an ironic name for a comedically unattractive character in Stephen Chow films. Online, 如花 is used to humorously describe a surprising contrast between someone's name or expectation and their actual app...
His online dating match sent a selfie — a total Ruhua, completely different from the description.
This term means 'little cyber' and is often used to describe someone with an eccentric or quirky personality, similar to a cyberpunk character. It evokes a sense of uniqueness.
Her style is really little cyber, very unique.
Literally means 'gaslight.' It describes a situation when someone manipulates another to doubt their reality or perceptions. It's used in emotional abuse contexts.
In this relationship, I often feel like I’m being gaslighted.
Translating to 'mutually tear each other,' this term describes a situation where two parties engage in a heated argument or verbal conflict. It’s often used in online discussions.
This post sparked 'mutual tearing'; netizens started attacking each other.
Translates to 'small beauties of the human world'; refers to the little pleasures and sweet moments in life that can uplift spirits. It indicates a focus on the positive amidst challenges.
Seeing the sunrise every day reflects the small beauties of the human world.
This term means 'skyscraper' and is often used metaphorically to represent lofty ambitions or unattainable goals in life. It reflects the desire for success and the challenges that come with it.
His dreams are as high as a skyscraper, which is admirable.
Meaning 'cat girl', this term typically describes young women who are obsessed with cats or embody cat-like qualities such as playfulness and independence. It can also refer to women who cosplay as cat-themed characters.
She’s really a cat girl; she has five cats at home.
This term means 'climax' and is often used humorously in contexts where something reaches an exciting peak, whether in storytelling or real-life situations. It can denote a moment of great excitement or intensity.
The climax of this movie really surprised me.
Vision board / Manifestation board — a collage of images, affirmations, and goals representing everything you want to attract into your life. Hugely popular on Xiaohongshu where users share elaborate boards featuring ...
I made a manifestation board and pasted all my dreams on it.
Meaning 'tired but not satisfied', this phrase is used to describe a situation where someone feels exhausted without experiencing fulfillment. It's relatable to many who feel overworked yet unaccomplished.
Even though work was busy this week, I still feel tired but unsatisfied.
Literally meaning 'to sun photos,' this term describes the act of sharing or posting pictures online, often to boast or show off experiences. It's commonly used on social media.
I must share photos after traveling this weekend!
This term, which means 'little vest', refers to a secondary account or persona that people create, often for anonymity or to express different sides of themselves online.
I use a secondary account to express myself on the forum and protect my privacy.
Translating to 'just not agreeing on one word,' this phrase humorously implies that conflicts arise from trivial disagreements, leading to quick escalations in arguments.
We just not agreeing on one word started an argument; it really blew a small issue out of proportion.
Shaolin Soccer — Stephen Chow's 2001 breakthrough film combining martial arts and football. Used as a reference for any situation where someone applies completely inappropriate skills to solve a problem, or achieves s...
He used Excel data in his presentation to demolish the competitor's plan — pure Shaolin Soccer energy.
Meaning 'variety show star', this term refers to celebrities or personalities who are especially known for their appearances on entertainment shows. It reflects the blurring lines between traditional celebrity and soc...
He became popular through variety shows, and his fans really like him.
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.
An affectionate term used for small pets or cuties, especially dogs. It conveys love and care, often used in daily conversations among pet owners.
My little pet has been especially well-behaved today.
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.
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