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
Literally translating to 'working entertainment', this term refers to the way people find enjoyment or entertainment in mundane work life. It illustrates the necessity of finding humor amidst routine.
In the office, we ease stress through working entertainment.
Literally meaning 'old flavor,' this slang refers to traditional or nostalgic tastes and experiences, often in relation to food. It captures a sense of longing for the past and simpler times.
The cake from this shop has an old flavor that reminds me of my childhood.
Literally meaning 'little liver', this term is used affectionately to refer to someone dear, similar to 'my dear' or 'darling'. It reflects a caring attitude, often used in romantic contexts.
You are my little darling in my heart; I will always support you.
Meaning 'in advance,' this term is often used when discussing plans or actions that are done ahead of time, reflecting a proactive attitude towards organization.
I prepared the materials in advance; this way, it's more efficient.
Translating to 'surfing online,' this term refers to casually browsing the internet without a specific goal or purpose. It's often associated with relaxation and leisure time.
I had nothing to do today, so I just surfed online to see what's new.
Meaning 'hint' or 'suggestion', this term is often used in romance to refer to discreet or subtle indications of interest. It highlights the nuances of communication in dating.
He always gives me a lot of hints, but I don't know what he's thinking.
Meaning 'moderately prosperous', this term is often used to describe a comfortable lifestyle that is attainable but not extravagant. It reflects aspirations for a stable and pleasant life.
They hope to achieve a moderately prosperous level and live their ideal life.
Too show-off / Impressive - Sarcastically praising something outrageous or unexpected.
This move is too impressive, I am amazed.
Translating to 'not afraid of ten thousand, just afraid of one,' this phrase emphasizes the importance of being cautious and prepared for unexpected situations. It suggests that while risks are often taken, one should...
In anything you do, you must be careful; it's not about fearing everything but being prudent.
This term refers to 'missing' or 'ghosting', particularly when someone fails to show up or respond in a timely manner. It has a playful connotation and is often used humorously in social media contexts.
He ghosted again, he's really a master of breaking promises.
'Heartless blow' describes a harsh criticism or unexpected setback that leaves one feeling defeated. It conveys a sense of betrayal or disappointment, often in a humorous or exaggerated context.
His review was truly a heartless blow, making my mood plummet.
Translating to 'shearing sheep,' this term is used for taking advantage of promotions or benefits, often in a savvy financial context. It implies getting the most out of available resources.
Recently, I've been taking advantage of promotions and grabbing coupons.
Literally means 'fermentation,' it describes ideas, trends, or gossip that are growing or spreading quickly, often used in a metaphorical sense. It captures the essence of viral trends on the internet.
This topic is fermenting quickly online; everyone is discussing it.
Meaning 'drifting to the north,' this slang refers to people who move to Beijing for work or study, often associated with the struggles and challenges of living in a big city.
As a person drifting to Beijing, I feel tremendous life pressure.
This term translates to 'forced to spend money', referring to the pressure gamers feel to spend money in mobile games to gain advantages. It highlights a common frustration in gaming communities.
This game forces spending too much; I can’t take it anymore.
Meaning 'goose group', this term describes a close-knit online group sharing related interests, often used among fans and content creators. It emphasizes community and shared passion.
I joined a goose group where everyone discusses their favorite anime.
Translating to 'covering the face,' this term is used to express embarrassment or disbelief, especially in response to something awkward or cringe-worthy.
I am really covering my face; I didn't expect him to say that.
Literally meaning 'said casually', this term describes statements made spontaneously or without much thought. It can refer to misinformation or throwaway comments.
What he said casually turned into news for some reason.
Translating to 'rice-eating person,' this term is used to describe those who put a significant focus on eating good food, often prioritizing meals over other activities. It emphasizes a love for food culture and can b...
We are all 'rice-eating people' and absolutely cannot miss good food.
Literally 'peach blossom luck,' this term describes a period of good fortune in love or relationships. It's often used when someone is attracting romantic interests or having positive dating experiences.
Recently, I've had great luck in love and met many interesting people.
This term means to 'shake off one's self', referring to a state of self-motivation or revitalization. It’s used to encourage oneself or others to get energized and motivated.
The weekend is almost here; let's all get energized!
While it literally means 'milk tea,' it's often used in online culture to denote something that is sweet and enjoyable. It can refer to experiences or moments that are pleasant.
This weekend's trip was as sweet as a cup of milk tea.
Translating to 'like', this term is used when someone expresses approval or admiration for a post or comment. It’s analogous to the thumbs-up feature on social media platforms.
I liked this post a lot.
This slang translates to 'over birth' and is used humorously to describe when a person is overly excited or happy about something, often leading to exaggerated reactions. It's related to expressions of extreme enthusi...
She did well on her exam today, and she's overly excited like it's New Year’s.
This phrase means 'envy, jealousy, hatred' and is used to describe feelings of extreme jealousy towards someone else's success or happiness. It often implies a mix of admiration and resentment.
Her life is so good; all I can do is feel envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Translating to 'cannot afford to buy,' this term is used to humorously describe something that is too expensive for one's budget, often seen in discussions of luxury goods.
This bag is really too expensive for me; I can only look at it.
This term means 'flower fool' and is used to describe someone who is overly infatuated or obsessed with another person, especially in a romantic context. It often carries a humorous or teasing connotation.
She is really infatuated with that celebrity.
Translating to 'set off again,' this phrase is used to encourage resilience and starting anew after setbacks. It embodies a hopeful and positive outlook on facing challenges.
Failure is okay; what's important is to set off again.
This term means 'to meet face to face', often used in social contexts to describe the action of meeting someone in person after interacting online. It carries a sense of anticipation or excitement.
We finally agreed to meet face to face; I look forward to seeing you!
Translating to 'funny,' this term describes something humorous or amusing, often used in the context of memes, jokes, or comedic content online.
This video is really funny; I laughed for a long time after watching it.
This phrase translates to 'putting oneself in another's shoes', encouraging empathy and understanding in communication. It's often used to promote kindness and consideration in discussions.
In arguments, we should put ourselves in each other's shoes and understand each other's feelings.
Translating to 'intermittent unemployment,' this term humorously describes the phenomenon of young people switching jobs frequently or being on short-term contracts. It reflects the gig economy's impact on job stability.
In this era, intermittent unemployment seems to have become quite normal.
Meaning 'poor quality' or 'bad,' this term is often used to criticize an unsatisfactory performance or product. It highlights disappointment or dissatisfaction.
This movie is really bad; I don’t recommend it.
Translating to 'oh my god', this expression is commonly used to convey surprise, shock, or disbelief. It's often seen in social media comments or in casual conversations.
Oh my god, this news is too shocking!
This term simply means 'bored' and is used to express a lack of interest or excitement in an activity. It frequently appears in casual conversations and memes.
Today's class was so boring that I almost fell asleep.
Translating to 'push down in place', this term is used in online gaming to depict a character being defeated easily. It also applies to instances where one feels overwhelmed or taken down unexpectedly in life.
In this game, I was easily taken down by the enemy without any resistance.
Translating to 'manual recall', this term is humorously used when someone is asked to remember something significant or nostalgic, often evoking a sentiment of longing or reflection.
When that song comes up, I’m manually recalling things from those years.
Means 'absolutely' or 'definitely', it emphasizes certainty or confidence in a statement. It’s often used to express agreement or assurance.
This plan is definitely going to succeed.
Translating to 'key focus', this term is used to highlight something that deserves special attention. It's commonly utilized in posts that emphasize important updates or news.
This project is our key focus; everyone needs to work hard.
Translating to 'celebrate wildly', this term describes a festive and joyous atmosphere, often used during parties and gatherings. It encapsulates the spirit of celebration and enjoyment.
During the New Year, everyone celebrates wildly, creating a lively atmosphere.
Literally meaning 'to wash white', this term refers to efforts to redeem someone’s image or reputation, often after a scandal or controversy. It implies a deliberate clean-up to regain public favor.
He is trying to redeem himself on social media, working hard to restore his image.
Translating to 'lost', this phrase is used metaphorically to describe feeling directionless in life or confused about choices. It's often used humorously or in a self-deprecating way.
Lately, I feel lost; I can't find my direction.
Meaning 'small short legs,' it's often used affectionately to refer to pets or friends who are seen as cute but not very agile. It can also describe romantic partners humorously.
My dog is really a little short-legged; it runs too slowly.
This phrase translates to 'pay attention, pay attention', often used to create emphasis or urgency in conversations, especially when sharing important news or announcements.
Pay attention! This event is about to start.
Translating to 'revenge spending', this term refers to the phenomenon where individuals splurge on shopping, often following a period of austerity or in response to negative emotions. It reflects a desire to regain co...
After the pandemic, many people started revenge spending, shopping like crazy.
This term means 'smartphone dependency disorder' and humorously describes individuals who are overly attached to their phones. It reflects the societal issue of technology addiction.
I have smartphone dependency disorder; I feel uncomfortable without my phone.
This term means 'to float away' and is used to describe someone who is acting dreamy or out of touch with reality. It can imply being lost in thoughts or daydreaming.
He has been really out of it today; he didn't hear me talking.
Translating to 'heavenly dish', this term is used to describe someone's ideal type or perfect partner. It's a playful way to express admiration or affection.
She is really my ideal type; I like her so much.
Translating to 'explosive fire', this term describes something that has suddenly become extremely popular or viral, often within a short time frame.
This song has recently exploded in popularity; everyone is listening to it.
This term means 'serious' or 'earnest', often used to express determination or focus on a task. In internet culture, it can also imply sarcasm when someone pretends to take a trivial matter seriously.
You need to take this matter seriously.