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
This phrase means 'offline socializing', referring to interactions that happen in person rather than online. It highlights the importance of face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital age.
I believe offline socializing can bring people closer together.
Buddha-like / Zen attitude - Being chill and not caring about results, going with the flow.
I work with a zen attitude now, not competing with anyone.
Translating to 'Alpha dog,' this term humorously refers to someone who is dominant in social situations, confident, and often takes charge. It can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on context.
In the team, that colleague is such an alpha dog, always taking control of everything.
This term means 'to seek death,' which is a humorous way of saying someone is doing something blatantly foolish or dangerous. It's often used to warn against taking unnecessary risks.
Doing that is really seeking trouble.
Literally means 'playing dead'. It refers to a behavior where someone pretends not to see or hear something in order to avoid responsibility or confrontation, often used humorously to indicate avoidance in awkward sit...
When the teacher asked me a question, I chose to play dead.
Meaning 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' it refers to a state of profound loneliness or individualism, often with a cultural nod to Gabriel García Márquez's famous novel. It's used jokingly to describe someone who fee...
He seemed a bit like he was in a hundred years of solitude at the party.
Literally translates to 'create chaos.' It describes someone who stirs up trouble or acts mischievously, usually to provoke reactions from others. It’s a playful way to express messy behavior.
Stop stirring up trouble, everyone can't take it anymore.
Meaning 'stingy ghost', this term playfully describes someone who is overly frugal or unwilling to share. It often carries a lighthearted connotation when used among friends.
You're such a stingy ghost; you won’t even treat others.
This playful term means 'charge forward' or 'let’s go!' It's often used to encourage someone to take action enthusiastically, similar to a cheerleading expression.
The exam is coming up soon; let's charge forward!
Literally meaning 'clown,' this term is often used to describe someone who is being foolish or goofy, usually in a lighthearted way. It conveys a sense of silliness or entertainment.
Today I was really a clown; it was hilarious!
Translating to 'business operation', this term is used to indicate when someone is available for work or engaging actively in a task. It often reflects a professional attitude, especially in informal contexts.
I am currently available for business; feel free to ask me if you need anything.
Translating to 'underage,' this term often refers to young people who are still minors. It can also be used humorously in contexts involving youth culture or innocent behaviors.
Although they are underage, they understand popular culture very well.
Literally meaning 'fish pond', this term refers to a community or group where people gather to share interests, similar to a fan club or online community. It emphasizes the idea of people coming together to support ea...
I met a lot of like-minded friends in this community.
Translating to 'being a person is too hard,' this expression captures the struggles and pressures of modern life, including work, relationships, and personal expectations. It’s often shared in a humorous context to em...
Facing so many challenges, I truly feel that 'being a person is too hard.'
Literally 'hot pot extra spicy,' this phrase humorously indicates that things are getting intense or exciting. It can describe a situation that is escalating quickly.
This match is really heating up; I can hardly keep watching!
Literally meaning 'cut cake,' this term has taken on a slang meaning that reflects absurd or outrageous behavior, often used in humorous contexts. It can denote something unexpected or absurd happening.
His suggestion is just absurd; it’s completely unrealistic.
Translating to 'summarize a bit', this phrase is often used to preface a conclusion or recap, especially in discussions or presentations. It serves as a verbal cue for listeners.
In this meeting, let's summarize the main points.
Translating to 'pre-exam anxiety', this term captures the stress and anxiety students feel leading up to exams. It has become a common phrase among students discussing their academic pressures.
Every exam season, I feel pre-exam anxiety.
This phrase means 'a hundred yuan dining table', referring to gatherings where participants are expected to share the costs of meals, typically with modest budgets. It reflects a casual approach to socializing and din...
Let's go to the hundred yuan dining table tonight.
Translating to 'small universe', this term refers to an individual's inner world or personal feelings, often used to describe someone in a creative, emotional, or introspective state. It suggests depth and complexity.
She expresses her small universe when she's painting.
Meaning 'to evade' or 'to escape,' it often refers to avoiding responsibilities or issues, particularly in a humorous or self-aware context. It can describe both literal and metaphorical avoidance.
Every time I encounter trouble, I just want to escape.
Referring to the famous French pastry 'macaron', this term is used in Chinese internet culture to describe things that are cute or visually appealing, often in a pastel color palette. It can describe personalities, ae...
Her dressing style is truly like macarons.
This term translates to 'Shura field,' referring to a chaotic situation, often involving drama, conflict, or intense competition. It’s commonly used in fandoms and discussions about competitive environments.
This event was a total chaos; everyone was fighting for attention.
Translates to 'extreme operation'. It refers to taking drastic or risky actions, often used humorously to describe someone going to great lengths for a specific goal.
I took extreme measures for this exam, and the result was quite good.
Translates to 'pay tribute,' used often in the context of honoring someone or something, especially in creative works or social media.
This movie pays tribute to classic works and is very touching.
Pretentious; refers to actions or behaviors that are overly affected or artificial, often seen as insincere. This term highlights societal expectations and authenticity.
He’s always so pretentious; it feels unnatural.
Absolutely amazing / Perfection - An emphatic expression meaning something is incredibly good or perfect. Very versatile praise word.
This cake is absolutely amazing, so delicious!
This means 'pretending to be indifferent,' referring to the act of displaying a cool or uninterested demeanor while actually being affected by something. It's often used in online narratives about relationships and so...
He pretends to be indifferent, but deep down, he's already panicking.
This term describes a cute and bashful demeanor, often used in romantic contexts. It conveys a sense of innocence and shyness, appealing to cultural notions of love and charm.
She always smiles bashfully, making people feel very comfortable.
This phrase literally means 'mom cheering', indicating someone who is overly supportive or possibly biased towards a person or cause, similar to a mother's blind support for her child.
She’s like a mom cheering for me, always defending me.
Chopping hands - Shopping addiction, need to chop hands to stop.
The hand-chopping squad is back for Singles Day.
Literally meaning 'fan circle culture,' this term refers to the unique subculture formed by fandoms surrounding celebrities, particularly in music and film. It encompasses fan activities, interactions, and often inten...
Fan circle culture is becoming increasingly popular among young people.
Translating to 'sense of rhythm', this term is used to describe someone who has a good understanding of timing and flow, particularly in music and dance. It can also be applied to social interactions.
She has a strong sense of rhythm when dancing.
Meaning 'mutual praise,' this term describes the practice of supporting and complimenting each other, particularly on social media. It reflects community engagement and reciprocation.
We praise each other in our friend circles to increase interaction.
This term is a playful way to describe someone who is funny, silly, or quirky. It’s often used affectionately among friends to bring humor into conversations.
He always says funny things that make everyone laugh.
Translating to 'monthly exam', this term is often used in academic contexts, particularly among students, to refer to repetitive testing that causes stress. It symbolizes the ongoing pressure students face in their st...
There's a monthly exam next week; I need to review well.
Literally ‘to advance levels’, this term is used to describe achieving a new level of success or accomplishment, particularly in gaming or professional contexts. It conveys a sense of progress and achievement.
I finally leveled up in the game, and it feels amazing.
Literally meaning 'captivating', this phrase describes something that is fascinating and draws people in. It's often used in reviews of movies, books, or performances that have a strong impact on the audience.
The storyline of this book is captivating; I finished it in one go.
Translating to 'like friends', this term refers to those who frequently engage with one's social media content by liking, commenting, or sharing. It highlights the importance of online social interactions.
I have many like friends; they're always the first to like my posts.
Literally 'scissors hand', this term is used to refer to someone who frequently makes peace signs in photos, often seen in selfies and social media. It symbolizes a playful and trendy attitude.
She always makes scissors hands in her photos; it's so cute!
Literally 'eating chicken', this term is commonly used in gaming cultures, particularly in reference to winning in battle royale games like PUBG, where the last player or team standing is said to be 'eating chicken'.
I won a chicken dinner yesterday; it felt amazing!
Translating to 'bitter bee', this term is used to describe individuals who lead a hard life or face difficult circumstances, often humorously used to elicit sympathy or camaraderie.
I really feel like a bitter bee during this period.
This phrase translates to 'monthly salary of ten thousand' and refers to a desirable income level that many young professionals aspire to achieve. It symbolizes financial success.
I hope to earn a monthly salary of ten thousand after I start working and live the life I want.
Originally a character from a popular Chinese animated series, '鼠来宝' is used to describe someone who is very clever or resourceful, often used in a playful context. It implies that the person can come up with good sol...
This kid is truly clever; he can always think of great ideas.
Translating to 'conscience,' this term is often used to describe someone who acts with integrity or fairness, especially in business or service contexts.
This store is truly a conscientious business; their service is excellent.
Translating to 'everything can be', this term implies that anything can be interpreted or adapted to one’s liking, often used to suggest flexibility in thinking or creativity.
In this project, anything can be used; feel free to express your creativity.
Translating to 'working emperor', this term humorously describes someone who has to work extremely hard yet aspires for a luxurious lifestyle, often highlighting the disparity between dreams and reality.
He’s truly a working emperor, busy every day yet always dreaming of getting rich.
This phrase refers to a state of being overly cautious or not fully committed, often in social situations. It can describe someone who is hesitant or lacks enthusiasm.
He's always indifferent about this plan and doesn’t have any substantial opinions.
Literally 'drink tea', this phrase is a euphemistic way to refer to discussing scandals or gossip, often implying that one is engaged in a conversation that involves intrigue or drama.
She always enjoys drinking tea with friends and chatting about gossip.
This term means 'forget it' or 'never mind,' used to express resignation or acceptance of a situation one cannot change. It conveys a sense of letting go.
Forget it, I don't want to argue about this topic anymore.