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
Meaning 'African rainbow,' this slang is used to humorously describe something that is unexpectedly vibrant or colorful, often in a surprising or ironic way. It highlights creativity in expression.
His outfit combination is truly an African rainbow; it’s so cool!
Gary Stu - Male equivalent of Mary Sue.
The male lead is a Gary Stu, can do everything.
This term refers to a binge-watching style where someone gets so engrossed in a series that they become 'paralyzed' and can't do anything else. It humorously highlights how addictive and consuming watching dramas can be.
This drama is so good; I binge-watched it all night until 6 AM.
This slang refers to a type of popular food, often used humorously or in memes. It can also denote something that's fun or trendy.
The new dishes at that restaurant are delicious; it’s definitely on-trend!
Translating to 'gaming waste', this term is a self-deprecating way to describe oneself or others who are not skilled in gaming. It can be used humorously among friends or to express frustration.
I was really a gaming noob today.
Translating to 'saving money', this term refers to the act of accumulating funds with a specific goal in mind. It emphasizes the desire for financial security or luxury items.
I have been saving money to buy a new phone recently.
Translating to 'Engine Oil', this term refers to someone who is very knowledgeable and skilled, often in a technical field. It is used as a compliment for those who know their craft very well.
This teacher is really knowledgeable; the explanations are thorough.
Literally meaning 'explode', in slang it describes something that is extremely exciting or impressive. It can be used to hype up events, news, or trends that gain sudden popularity.
This video is really explosive; the views have already surpassed a million!
Translating to 'fortune telling', this term is used in both traditional and modern contexts to refer to the practice of seeking predictions about one’s future based on astrology or other methods. It can also have a pl...
I like to go for fortune telling to see what the future holds.
Literally meaning 'instant noodle skirt', this term refers to a type of flared skirt that resembles the packaging of instant noodles. It has become a humorous fashion reference, especially among younger women.
This kind of instant noodle skirt is very popular in summer; it’s really cute.
This term is a playful way to refer to the person who posts content on forums or social media, often implying they are somewhat of a king or authority in the discussion. It reflects the hierarchy in online conversations.
The posts from the content king always attract attention.
Referring to the 'Old Man under the Moon,' a deity responsible for love in Chinese mythology. In modern usage, it symbolizes fate or destiny in romantic relationships and is often invoked humorously in discussions abo...
I hope the Old Man under the Moon can bring my lover and me together.
Referring to a 'fan circle,' this term describes the community of fans surrounding a celebrity or fandom. It often involves intense loyalty and interactions among members.
She joined her idol's fan circle, binge-watching dramas and voting.
This phrase means 'return to reality' and is used to describe the need to stop daydreaming or being overly optimistic, often after a situation leads to disappointment. It implies a reminder to be pragmatic.
You can’t always fantasize about success; you need to return to reality.
Meaning 'operation' or 'to operate,' this slang is used to describe actions that are clever, tricky, or sometimes questionable, often in a sarcastic way.
His actions are truly surprising.
This phrase means 'do it again,' often used when someone wants to hear or see something a second time, whether in a serious or humorous context. It can show enthusiasm or desire for repetition.
That joke was really funny; can you tell it again?
Translates to 'popcorn,' used in online chats to indicate being entertained or watching a dramatic situation unfold. It suggests someone is enjoying the 'show' of events happening.
This TV drama is so good; it's totally a popcorn-watching pace!
This phrase means 'hold on' and is often used to encourage someone to persevere through tough times. It’s popularly used in social media posts to show support for friends and followers going through challenges.
Life is tough, but we need to hold on!
This term describes the phenomenon of staying up late to watch Douyin (TikTok) videos. It's a cultural reference to binge-watching short videos that can easily lead to losing track of time.
I spent another Douyin night last night; it was so funny.
Literally 'learn now and sell now', this phrase describes a situation where someone quickly learns a skill or information just to use it immediately, often used humorously regarding unpreparedness.
I went to the interview today, completely learning on the fly.
This phrase translates to 'irresponsible' and describes behavior that lacks accountability, often seen humorously in social media discussions about careless actions.
His actions are truly irresponsible and have disappointed everyone.
This term translates to 'assist' and is frequently used in gaming or sports contexts to describe someone who helps another achieve success, particularly in scoring. It can also be used metaphorically in social situati...
She assisted me in this match, helping me win.
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.
Translating to 'real-life version,' this term describes real situations that mirror or are reminiscent of scenarios typically seen in movies, games, or literature. It's used to discuss relatable experiences.
This trip is like a real-life version of an adventure story.
This phrase means 'emotionally collapsed,' often used when someone feels overwhelmed or burdened by stress or negative feelings. It expresses a state of emotional exhaustion.
I'm so tired from work today; I feel emotionally collapsed.
Translating to 'seeking fun,' this term is often used to describe the act of looking for entertainment or engaging in silly behavior.
During the holiday, it’s all about seeking fun!
Short for 'original character', this term refers to unique characters created by fans within fandom communities, such as in anime or gaming. It's often used to share and promote personal creations.
I drew my original character and am ready to share it in the forum.
Translating to 'warning outfit', this term humorously refers to someone who dresses in an eye-catching or loud manner, often used to poke fun at fashion choices that draw attention.
Her outfit today is truly a warning outfit; it's too eye-catching.
Translating to 'see through', it is used when someone can understand the underlying truth of a situation or person, often implying a sense of wisdom.
She saw through his lies.
This term refers to 'formal or surface-level talk', often used to describe insincere pleasantries or polite expressions that lack genuine sentiment.
We said a lot of formalities at the gathering, but there wasn't much real communication.
Translating to 'speak carefully,' this term advises caution in conversations, especially regarding sensitive topics. It emphasizes the importance of choosing words wisely.
Everyone should speak carefully when discussing this issue.
Translating to 'announce in advance', this term is often used when someone reveals information or news prematurely, typically before an official announcement. It can be humorous or serious, depending on context.
The cast list for this new drama was announced in advance.
Translating to 'snack demon,' this term describes someone who loves to eat snacks excessively, often to an endearing extreme. It reflects a playful attitude towards food, particularly in a humorous context.
I'm really a snack demon; I just want to eat something all the time.
Translating to 'heavy reliance,' this term describes a person or situation that heavily depends on something or someone else, especially in a humorous or exaggerated context.
I'm heavily reliant on this software; I can't live without it.
Meaning 'online', this term signifies being connected to the internet or active on social media. It's often used in discussions about presence in the digital space.
I'm online now; feel free to ask me anything.
This phrase means 'not unreasonable,' used to express that while something may not be ideal, it’s understandable or justifiable. It’s often used in discussions to show acceptance of imperfect situations.
Facing this pressure, it is not unreasonable for them to choose to give up.
Translating to 'all night until dawn,' this phrase describes staying up all night, especially for activities like gaming or studying. It highlights a culture of late-night dedication and commitment.
For this project, I stayed up all night until dawn.
Translating to 'starting a group', this term often refers to initiating a collective effort, commonly in the context of group buying or collaborative events among friends or online communities.
Let's start a group to buy this product together; it will be cheaper.
Translating to 'cloud cat-adoring', this term describes the act of enjoying or adoring cats online, often through social media. It reflects a growing trend of virtual pet ownership and appreciation.
Recently, I've been adoring cats online every day, and I feel particularly happy.
Literally means 'purple sweet potato balls,' but is used colloquially to describe someone who is plump or chubby in a cute, endearing way. It's often used among friends to tease each other affectionately.
You are such a purple sweet potato ball; so cute!
This term refers to the practice of 'anti-recommendation'—essentially warning friends against something instead of promoting it. It often indicates a critical view on something that seems overrated.
I would anti-recommend this movie; it’s really not good.
Translating to 'one-man show,' this term is used to describe situations where someone is handling everything alone, often in a dramatic or overwhelming way. It’s used humorously when someone overworks themselves in so...
She is truly putting on a one-woman show, doing everything by herself.
This term means 'dog hero' and is used affectionately to refer to pets—especially dogs—who are perceived as brave or heroic. It reflects the deep affection many have for their pets.
My dog hero always protects me; he’s truly a little hero.
Meaning 'relay,' this term is used to describe passing on responsibilities or tasks in a collaborative manner. It reflects teamwork and collaboration in achieving a goal.
We need to relay tasks to each other to complete this project.
Translating to 'black technology', this term refers to advanced, often innovative technologies that seem to defy conventional understanding. It’s used to describe cutting-edge trends, particularly in tech discussions.
The features of this phone are truly black technology.
Literally 'giving away a person's head', this slang is used to describe situations in gaming where someone is easily defeated or gives up points to opponents, often in a humorous sense.
In this game, I really just gave away my points.
Literally 'cat killer,' this term humorously refers to someone who is extremely cute or charming, to the point where they can 'kill' you with cuteness. It's often used to describe adorable pets or individuals.
Your little cat is truly a cat killer!
This term means 'science popularization' and refers to the act of making complex scientific concepts accessible to the general public. It's commonly used in educational contexts, especially online.
This channel focuses on science popularization, hoping everyone can understand science.
Translating to 'show-off maniac', this term describes someone who constantly boasts about their possessions or accomplishments on social media. It characterizes a specific behavior that many people find off-putting.
He is such a show-off maniac, posting photos of his luxury car every day.
This is a playful sound that mimics a sheep's bleat and is often used at the end of sentences to add a cute or soft tone. It can express uncertainty or cuteness.
The weather is really nice today, baa~