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 'laughing to tears', this term is used to describe extreme amusement or the absurdity of a situation. It's often represented by an emoticon and conveys a mix of joy and disbelief.
This video is so funny that it made me laugh to tears.
Meaning 'highlight moment,' this term refers to the best moments in life, often shared in social media posts. It emphasizes celebrating one's achievements and joyful experiences.
Let me share my highlight moment!
Translating to 'leave as soon as said', this phrase captures the spontaneity of making immediate decisions, especially in travel or adventure contexts. It reflects a carefree and adventurous spirit.
Upon seeing this news, we immediately decided to leave as soon as said and go traveling.
Translates to 'off-peak travel,' referring to traveling during less busy times to avoid crowds and enjoy a more pleasant experience. It reflects the growing trend of mindful travel among urban residents.
To avoid crowds, I choose to travel during off-peak times.
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.
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!
Literally 'doing tasks,' this term is often used in gaming or work contexts to describe the completion of objectives or assignments. It emphasizes productivity in a casual manner.
I have a lot of tasks to do today; I’m extremely busy.
Translating to 'don't ask me', this phrase is typically used as a humorous way to avoid a question or to imply that the answer is complicated or embarrassing. It's often a part of meme culture.
My life has been too complicated lately; don’t ask me.
This term means 'same line of work' and refers to people who work in the same industry or profession. It often implies a sense of community and shared experiences.
It's really interesting for us colleagues to gather together.
Literally means 'Chinese standard'. It's used to refer to a certain level of quality or expectation, often humorously to downplay something that doesn't meet higher standards.
This dish is made to Chinese standards, though the taste is just okay.
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.
Meaning 'hitting the edge ball', this term refers to activities that are close to being illegal or crossing the line of acceptable behavior. It’s often used in discussions about content that pushes boundaries.
His remarks are bordering on inappropriate; he needs to be careful.
Translating to 'pragmatism' or 'utilitarianism', this term describes a mindset focused on using existing resources or ideas without original creation. It reflects a practical approach to modern challenges.
In this project, we adopted a pragmatist approach, learning from others' experiences.
Translating to 'bun head', this term describes a popular hairstyle where hair is tied up into a bun, often associated with youth and playfulness. It's frequently seen in online fashion and beauty discussions as a tren...
She tied her hair in a bun today; she looks particularly cute.
This phrase means 'to look down upon' and is used when someone feels disdainful towards something or someone, often implying superiority in taste or judgment.
He always looks down on those trendy things.
This term literally means 'heart's good,' used to describe something that one dearly loves or finds appealing. It’s often used in discussions about personal favorites, whether it’s a person or an object.
This phone is truly my favorite.
Literally means 'eternal god'. It describes someone who is highly respected or admired, often someone whose talent or character is unmatched.
In my heart, he is always a god.
This term literally means 'self-closure' and is used informally to describe someone who is feeling down, isolated, or discouraged, often in a humorous or exaggerated way. It can convey both self-deprecation and a sens...
I’m so tired today, I feel like I’m closing myself off.
Translating to 'translation tone,' this term refers to the awkwardness or unnatural flow of speech that can occur when directly translating from one language to another. It's often used to describe poor or overly lite...
His Chinese has a bit of a translation tone.
Meaning 'replicate' or 'reproduce', this term is often used in the context of fashion, art, or gaming, indicating the act of recreating a popular style or concept. It reflects a trend towards nostalgia and homage.
These shoes are replicas of a classic model, and everyone loves them.
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 'brain hole,' this term describes a sudden burst of creativity or an interesting idea that seems out of the blue. It emphasizes imaginative thinking and unexpected insights.
Her creative ideas always open my eyes.
Literally translates to 'coding monkey.' This term is often used to refer to software developers in a somewhat self-deprecating or humorous way, suggesting that they are just following orders.
As a coding monkey, I write code every day.
Meaning 'to look at faces', it highlights the importance of appearance, often in social situations, where being attractive can influence perceptions and connections.
Many industries now focus on looks, which is quite frustrating.
This term translates to 'take apart the stage,' and is used to describe sabotaging or undermining someone else's efforts. It can be used in both serious and light-hearted contexts.
I don't want to undermine your plan in the meeting.
Translating to 'inviting annoyance,' this term describes people or behaviors that are irritating or repulsive. It reflects common frustrations in interpersonal interactions.
His selfish behavior is really annoying.
Meaning 'star of hope', this term symbolizes someone or something that represents optimism and potential, often used to uplift or encourage others. It can be used in personal or professional contexts.
You are the star of hope in my heart; you must believe you can do it.
Bronze - Lowest rank, used to mock bad players.
Your moves are so bronze level.
This phrase means 'blessed by heaven', often used to express gratitude for good fortune or to indicate that fate has favored someone in a certain situation. It reflects a sense of serendipity.
Meeting such good friends is truly a blessing from heaven.
A playful take on 'small certainties of happiness', this term refers to minor annoyances or frustrations that come up in daily life, often with a humorous twist. It contrasts with the idea of cherishing small joys.
There are always minor annoyances in life that leave you both laughing and crying.
Translating to 'I beg you,' this phrase is often used humorously or exaggeratedly to plead for someone's help or to express desperation in a light-hearted way. It's commonly found in memes and casual conversations.
I beg you, stop selling my embarrassing stories!
'小绿人' translates to 'little green men' and typically refers to a pop-culture reference to aliens or something whimsical in nature. This term can also refer to someone acting peculiarly or out of the ordinary.
Why do you seem like a little green man today, acting so strange?
Translating to 'casual' or 'carefree', this term is often used to express indifference or a laid-back attitude, particularly towards decisions or choices. It's a versatile term that can indicate a relaxed approach.
What do you want to eat? Anything is fine.
Translating to 'in the midst of a hundred busy things,' this term describes making an effort to prioritize something important even when one is extremely busy. It emphasizes commitment and responsibility.
Thank you for taking the time to attend my birthday party in the midst of your busy schedule!
This term means 'small margin' or refers to the minor things in life that bring joy or happiness, often used in the context of appreciating life's little pleasures. It's about finding joy in the mundane.
The sunlight and coffee every day are my small joys.
Meaning 'to propose marriage', this term is often associated with romantic gestures and the excitement surrounding marriage proposals. It's a common discussion topic on social media.
His way of proposing was so romantic; everyone envies him.
Best girl friend / BFF - A close female friend, like a sister. Often used between women who are extremely close.
She's my best girlfriend, I tell her everything.
Literally 'fake monk', this term describes someone who pretends to be knowledgeable or wise but is actually not. It highlights the gap between appearance and reality.
He’s just a fake monk in this field; don’t listen to him.
Literally 'fried chicken little sister,' this term humorously refers to girls who are obsessed with fried chicken. It captures a fun aspect of youth culture.
She is a fried chicken little sister; wherever there is good fried chicken, she goes.
Literally 'Great Leap Forward,' this term is often used in a humorous context to describe overambitious projects or initiatives that fail to deliver desired results. It can reflect a sense of irony.
This plan looks like a Great Leap Forward; it simply won't work.
The term 'kuqi' has evolved to express a feeling of being moved to tears, usually from happiness or overwhelming emotions. It is often used in response to content that touches one's heart.
I can't help but cry after watching this video.
This term, which roughly translates to 'wet dad,' is used humorously among fans in the gaming community to describe a character or player who is overly emotional or behaves excessively in their reactions.
He is always so emotionally reactive in games, it's quite exaggerated.
Literally meaning 'dog head saves life,' this slang is often used humorously to express that a situation is so dire that it can only be saved by something or someone absurd, like a dog’s head.
This kind of joke is just so absurd, I can't stop laughing.
Literally meaning 'aunt,' this term is often used informally to refer to females in service industries (like maids or cleaners) or in other informal contexts. It can convey warmth or familiarity.
Auntie, can you help me buy a bottle of water?
Anxious - Feeling worried and stressed.
Work makes me very anxious.
Literally meaning 'to disturb the heart,' this term is used to express feelings of annoyance or frustration, particularly when something bothers you deeply. It captures a sense of emotional turmoil.
This matter is truly annoying, making it hard for me to concentrate.
While it literally means 'make-up class', in internet slang, it refers to binge-watching or catching up on missed episodes of a show. It highlights the tendency to immerse oneself in media to keep up with trends.
I plan to binge-watch all the shows from last month this weekend.
Translating to 'high energy', this term is used to describe something that is exciting or full of enthusiasm. It's often used in contexts like events, performances, or energetic content.
This concert is so high energy; the audience is very enthusiastic.
Translating to 'internet thinking,' this term refers to a mindset or approach that leverages the principles of connectivity, flexibility, and innovation associated with the internet. It's used to describe businesses o...
Modern enterprises must possess internet thinking to keep pace with the times.
This term means 'to distribute candy,' but in internet slang, it refers to showing affection or love publicly, especially in relationship contexts. It's often used to describe sweet or romantic gestures.
They are spreading sweetness on Weibo; how sweet!