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
Translating to 'obsessive-compulsive disorder', it’s used humorously in online contexts to describe individuals who have specific compulsive behaviors or preferences, often relating to perfectionism.
I have an obsessive-compulsive disorder for organizing; all my books must be arranged by color.
Literally meaning 'invisible rich people', this term is used to describe individuals who appear ordinary but have significant wealth. Often used in discussions about wealth disparity and social status online.
He looks very ordinary; he's truly an invisible rich person.
Translating to 'Uncle Bird,' this term playfully refers to older men who act youthful or are involved in pop culture. It’s often used in a teasing manner.
This Uncle Bird's dance moves are really interesting.
Meaning 'sandwich cookie,' this term is used humorously to describe someone caught in a difficult situation between two parties. It conveys the pressure of being in the middle of conflicting expectations or demands.
I feel like a sandwich cookie, caught between my friends and family.
This term translates to 'dream collaboration' and is often used in marketing and entertainment to describe exciting crossovers between different franchises or characters. It signifies something that fans have long wis...
This dream collaboration is so exciting; two of my favorite anime characters appeared together.
Bullsh*t / Nonsense (literally: dog fart)
Everything you said is bullsh*t, stop lying to me.
This phrase means 'to pass the days aimlessly' and describes a state of doing the bare minimum in life or work without any ambition or goal. It often reflects a sense of listlessness.
I’ve just been passing the days aimlessly lately; life feels boring.
Translating to 'light chaser,' this term refers to someone who actively pursues their dreams or aspirations, often with a sense of urgency and passion.
She is a light chaser, always working hard to achieve her dreams.
This term refers to the popular Chinese short video platform, known for its engaging and often humorous short clips. The name itself has become synonymous with trending videos and entertainment.
I scroll through Douyin every day and can’t stop.
Translating to 'precise poverty alleviation', this term describes targeted measures taken to help specific groups in poverty, reflecting government efforts to address inequality. It is often discussed in political and...
The country continually promotes precise poverty alleviation, helping more impoverished populations.
Translating to 'small certainties of loss', this term expresses a sense of minor disappointments or frustrations that accumulate in daily life. It reflects a melancholic yet humorous acknowledgment of life’s little le...
Today's weather is bad again; it’s really a small certainty of loss.
This phrase means 'having money means one can be willful', reflecting the idea that wealth allows individuals to act freely or make choices without constraint. It often critiques materialism in society.
Having money means one can be willful; this lifestyle is truly enviable.
Cyberpunk refers to a subgenre of science fiction that features advanced technology juxtaposed with societal decay. It's commonly used to describe a futuristic aesthetic or lifestyle, especially on social media, refle...
Today I wore a full cyberpunk outfit, feeling really cool.
Whale - A person or entity holding massive amounts of cryptocurrency.
Whales are selling again, the market will drop.
Translating to 'attraction power', this term describes the charisma or allure someone possesses, often in contexts of beauty or charm. It's used to compliment someone's appealing qualities.
She has a strong attraction power; everyone likes her.
Literally meaning 'to touch gold,' this term is often related to exploring or seeking out opportunities for wealth or success, especially in informal or unexpected ways. It is commonly used in discussions about seekin...
Young people are all trying to find ways to touch gold and look for quick ways to get rich.
Literally meaning 'white society', it's used to critique societal norms or pressures that feel unnatural or oppressive, often highlighting the absurdities of modern life.
We live in an absurd society; the pressures make it hard to breathe.
This term means 'to accompany in conversation,' often used in online contexts where people seek companionship or conversation. It can refer to both casual talks and professional services.
Do you have time tonight? I’d like to ask you to keep me company in a chat.
Official announcement - Making a relationship public.
They finally announced their relationship!
Translates to 'small goals.' This term is often used to refer to achievable objectives, often in a light-hearted or humorous manner, especially in the context of New Year’s resolutions.
My small goal is to drink more water every day.
Meaning 'to keep quiet and stay low-key,' it refers to someone who prefers not to attract attention or share their opinions publicly. This term is often used among users who value privacy and discretion.
On this topic, I choose to stay low-key and not get involved in the debate.
Translating to 'wool party', this term refers to people who seek out benefits or discounts exploitatively. It’s often used in discussions about consumer habits and marketing strategies.
This event attracted a lot of benefit seekers looking to grab discounts.
Meaning 'bystander', this term describes someone who is merely observing rather than participating in a situation or event. It often implies a sense of detachment.
As a bystander, I can only quietly watch how things develop.
This term means 'self-amusement' and refers to someone who enjoys their own company or activities without needing validation or attention from others. It reflects a carefree attitude.
He amused himself at home by watching his own videos.
Meaning 'public lover,' this term humorously refers to individuals who are very popular and admired, often by many people simultaneously. It’s often used in the context of celebrities or online personas.
This idol is truly a public lover, adored by countless fans.
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.
Meaning 'ride-sharing', this term refers to the process of sharing a car ride, often arranged through apps for convenience and cost-saving. It reflects a trend towards collaborative consumption in urban areas.
I plan to share a ride for my trip this weekend.
'远光' literally means 'long-range light' and is often used humorously to describe someone's overly ambitious or unrealistic plans or ideas. It signifies a lack of practicality in aspirations.
Your plans are really unrealistic; maybe consider reality first.
Brain has short-circuited; completely lost it; gone crazy
You bought ten pairs of shoes?! Have you lost your mind?!
This term means 'excavator', but in internet slang, it humorously refers to someone who digs into others' private matters or secrets, often used in gossip contexts.
He always likes to be an excavator, knowing everyone's secrets.
To grind - Playing games or working excessively until exhausted.
I grinded the game until 3am last night.
Literally meaning 'to share a melon', this term refers to dividing or sharing resources, often in the context of benefits or profits. It's used in discussions about financial gains or relationships.
Let's share this bonus together.
Translating to 'like a storm', this phrase describes something that happens suddenly and intensely, often used in emotional contexts.
Her words hit me like a storm, leaving me unprepared.
Translating to 'working hard like a salted fish,' this term humorously refers to someone who is trying to achieve their goals despite feeling lazy or unmotivated. It symbolizes the struggle between aspiration and leth...
Even though I feel like a salted fish, I still 'work hard like a salted fish.'
This phrase translates to 'not leaving, nor abandoning' and is often used in romantic contexts to express loyalty and commitment in a relationship. It embodies deep emotional connections and promises.
I will always be loyal to you and support you forever.
Translating to 'refreshing one's worldview', this phrase describes experiences or information that significantly change how someone views the world. It's often used after encountering surprising content.
This article really refreshed my worldview.
Translates to 'standard operation', used to describe expected or routine actions in given situations. It can be used humorously when something doesn't go as planned.
This should be a 'standard operation'; I didn’t expect it to go wrong.
This term refers to being in a trance-like state or being overly obsessed with something, often to the point of losing touch with reality. It can be used humorously to describe extreme fandoms.
She is completely obsessed with that idol, tracking his every move daily.
This term means 'to run scores', often used in gaming contexts to refer to the act of quickly achieving high scores or ranks in games for achievements or recognition.
We’re going to run scores tonight, hoping to achieve high scores.
Translating to 'skincare maniac,' this term is used to describe someone who is extremely passionate about skincare routines and products. It highlights the growing culture of beauty and self-care among younger generat...
She's a skincare maniac; she shares new products every day.
This term refers to young people, often in a teasing or affectionate way, highlighting their youthful energy or naivety. It can imply endearment or mild criticism.
You young people really know how to have fun!
Translating to 'tribe', in internet slang, it refers to specific communities formed around shared interests or identities, often used to describe niches within social media platforms.
I joined a second dimension tribe, and everyone is really interesting.
Literally meaning 'little waist essence', this term is used to refer to a fashionable and charming person, often associated with trends in body image and style.
She really is stylish; everything she wears looks good.
Meaning 'seller's showcase', this term describes the often overly perfect photos posted by sellers online that illustrate how products look when they are advertised. It indicates a disparity between reality and presen...
The seller's showcase of this dress looks great, but it’s poor once worn.
This term means 'to hold up the scene,' used to describe someone who supports or uplifts a social event or gathering, making it more enjoyable. It can refer to someone with good social skills or presence.
He always knows how to hold up the scene and make gatherings enjoyable.
Translates to 'hardcore.' It is used to describe someone who is extremely dedicated or serious about a particular interest or activity, often in gaming or fandom contexts. It implies a high level of commitment and exp...
This player is truly hardcore, playing games every day.
Translating to 'pursue dreams', this term captures the spirit of chasing one’s aspirations despite challenges. It inspires individuals to actively seek their goals with passion.
We need to pursue our dreams and strive to achieve our goals.
Literally meaning 'to fall,' it describes moments of embarrassment or failure, often used in humorous contexts. It highlights the clumsiness in daily life.
I fell on the street; it was so embarrassing.
Refers to people born in the 2000s, often used to describe a generation that has different values and behaviors compared to preceding generations.
As people born in the 2000s, their ideas are really very open-minded.
Means 'not happy', often used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment in a light-hearted way, especially in online discussions.
I’m not happy today because I didn’t do well on the exam.