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 term translates to 'possessiveness' and describes a strong desire to control or keep someone close in a relationship. It often indicates an imbalance in emotional dynamics.
He has a bit of a possessive streak toward his girlfriend.
This phrase means 'awakened to reality', used to describe someone who sees through illusions or falsehoods in life, often with a humorous or sarcastic tone. It captures a sense of clarity amidst confusion.
What she said made me feel awoken to reality.
Literally meaning 'bike,' this term describes someone who is indecisive or wavers between options, especially in relationships or choices. It implies that the person is trying to please multiple parties at once.
He always plays both sides, making me feel he’s unreliable.
Shitcoin / Meme coin - Low quality cryptocurrency with no real value.
Do not buy shitcoins, they are all scams.
Single dog - A humorous self-deprecating term for being single.
I am a happy single dog.
Translating to 'laugh out loud,' this term is commonly used in online comments to express that something is extremely funny and made one laugh audibly. It's often used in reaction to humorous content.
This joke is so funny that I laughed out loud.
Literally meaning 'squid,' it is slang for getting fired or let go from a job. The term is often used humorously among young people when discussing layoffs.
I heard the boss is laying off employees; I'm a little scared that I might become a squid.
Literally means 'as promised', used when expectations set in conversation are not met. It often conveys disappointment or irony.
Didn’t you promise to come today?
Translating to 'takeout brother', this term affectionately refers to food delivery workers. It reflects the growing delivery culture in China, particularly in urban areas.
The delivery worker from this restaurant is very friendly.
This term means 'monthly salary' and is often used in discussions about income and financial stability. It reflects the growing concerns about financial pressures among young people.
My monthly salary isn't high, but I enjoy life.
This onomatopoeic term mimics the sound of a chicken clucking and is used to express doubt or skepticism, often in a playful manner. It conveys a sense of light-heartedness during discussions.
He said he would be late, but I’m a bit skeptical.
This phrase means to adopt a 'Buddhist' or laid-back approach to life, indicating a sense of detachment or nonchalance towards stressors. It promotes a relaxed attitude, especially towards competitive pressures.
I'm choosing to take a laid-back approach now; I don't want to worry about work.
Meaning 'to dawdle,' this term describes someone who is slow or procrastinating, often used to critique inefficiency or laziness. It highlights frustration with delayed actions.
Stop dawdling and finish your work quickly!
Literally meaning 'toxic,' this term describes something harmful or detrimental to one’s well-being, often used in relationships or situations that are negatively affecting someone.
This relationship is toxic for me; I’ve decided to end it.
Translating to 'explosive product', this term refers to items or content that become wildly popular and trend rapidly, often in marketing or social media contexts.
This phone is truly an explosive product; the sales are great.
Pay to win - Spending real money in games.
This game requires too much spending.
Translating to 'lose value', this term describes situations where someone feels they have diminished their worth, often due to embarrassing actions or experiences. It conveys a sense of shame.
My performance at the party made me feel worthless.
Short for 'mental split', this term humorously describes someone who displays seemingly contradictory behaviors or opinions. It often alludes to the complexities of personality or mental states.
She’s a bit of a mental split; today she really wants to go out, but tomorrow she doesn’t want to see anyone.
Simp / Bootlicker - Someone who excessively flatters or chases someone romantically.
Stop simping, she does not like you.
Meaning 'self-disciplined dog', this term is often used humorously to describe someone who is overly disciplined in their routines or goals, especially in settings like fitness or study. It points out both admiration ...
He wakes up so early every day; he's really a self-disciplined dog.
This term means 'online love' and refers to romantic relationships that develop through the internet. It reflects the growing trend of virtual relationships in modern society.
They started their online love through social media.
'盲盒' means 'blind box' and refers to a mystery box containing surprise items, popular in collectibles and toys. The excitement comes from not knowing what’s inside until opened, appealing to a sense of curiosity.
I've recently become obsessed with blind boxes and bought several.
Translating to 'deeply meaningful,' this term is often used to describe statements or actions that carry significant implications or hidden messages. It is frequently used in discussions about art and literature.
The ending of this article was deeply meaningful; it made me think for a long time.
Translating to 'let's talk about it tomorrow,' this phrase is often used to procrastinate or avoid dealing with a situation immediately. It humorously reflects a carefree attitude towards responsibilities.
Let's talk about this problem tomorrow.
Literally 'press down and not release,' this phrase is used to describe holding onto a topic or issue and not letting it go. It indicates persistence or stubbornness in discussions or arguments.
He always holds onto my mistakes, leaving me feeling helpless.
Literally meaning 'to explode the street,' this slang term refers to something that is extremely popular or trendy, often used when something goes viral.
This song exploded in popularity; everyone is listening to it.
Inscription / Ordinals - Data inscribed directly on Bitcoin blockchain.
Bitcoin inscriptions are very popular recently.
Meaning 'moisturizing,' this term is often used in a playful way to describe a state of being well off or indulged, especially in a financial context.
I've been living well lately; life is great.
Translating to 'boomerang', this term is used to describe a situation where one’s actions come back to affect them negatively, similar to consequences of one's own decisions.
His lies eventually became a boomerang, making him feel ashamed.
'撩人' translates to 'flirting' or 'teasing' and describes actions or words that are meant to attract or seduce someone. It is often used in romantic contexts where someone is trying to spark interest.
He always flirts with me, making my heart race.
Literally meaning 'niche', this term is used to describe things that are trendy among a small, specific group of people rather than the general public. It's often used in discussions about music, fashion, or interests...
This song is very popular among niche groups.
Literally 'vulture tribe', this term refers to young adults who rely on their parents for financial support, often without making an effort to be independent. It reflects societal concerns about younger generations' a...
I have many vulture tribe members around me; I really don’t know when they will become independent.
Translating to 'ex-boyfriend,' this term refers specifically to a former romantic partner. It's often used in contexts involving relationship discussions or nostalgia.
I ran into my ex-boyfriend yesterday.
This term means 'to watch the excitement,' referring to the act of observing events, often with a sense of curiosity or entertainment.
An accident happened on the street, and everyone is gathering to watch the excitement.
Translating to 'diligent salted fish', it humorously contrasts 'salted fish', a term for someone who is lazy or unmotivated. This variation indicates a person who works hard yet still feels like a 'salted fish', expre...
I’m just a diligent salted fish, working hard every day but living a mundane life.
Dog blood / Melodramatic - Overly dramatic cliche plot.
This drama is too melodramatic.
Translating to 'express delivery', this term has taken on a symbolic meaning reflecting the rise of online shopping and convenience culture. It represents instant gratification and the excitement surrounding online pu...
I received my express delivery today; I'm so happy!
Translates to 'home squatter.' It describes someone who stays at home all the time, often indulging in online activities or gaming instead of going out. It implies a mix of laziness and introversion.
Recently I've become a home squatter again, completely uninterested in going out.
Meaning 'cloud travel,' this term refers to enjoying travel experiences online, such as virtual tours or travel vlogs, particularly during times when physical travel is restricted. It reflects a newfound way of experi...
During the pandemic, I could only rely on cloud travel to satisfy my desire to travel.
Literally means 'top scholar,' used to describe someone who excels, particularly in exams or competitions. It's often used humorously in non-academic contexts.
I was the top performer in today's basketball game.
Translating to 'slack off', this term describes the act of avoiding work or responsibilities, often humorously. It reflects a common desire to relax or take breaks from intense workloads.
Today, I've decided to slack off and do nothing.
Meaning 'to seek victory in stability,' this phrase suggests a strategy of careful planning and execution to achieve success.
In investing, seeking victory in stability is a wise strategy.
Translating to 'one knife cuts', this term describes a situation where harsh or absolute measures are applied uniformly, without consideration for individual circumstances. It's often used in critiques of overly simpl...
This policy is a bit one-size-fits-all and doesn’t consider different situations.
An adaptation of the term 'struggle bus,' referring to a state of being overwhelmed or struggling to cope with daily life. It signifies moments when things become too difficult, but one must keep moving forward.
Today I’m on the struggle bus again; it’s really exhausting.
Translates to 'pseudo-cultured youth'. It describes someone who pretends to be cultured or artistic but lacks genuine understanding or appreciation. It’s often used humorously to poke fun at people trying too hard.
He always claims to be cultured, but he's just a pseudo-cultured youth.
This phrase means 'harmonious society' and represents the ideal of a peaceful and cooperative society, often used in political or social discussions. It emphasizes unity and mutual support.
We should work hard to build a harmonious society.
Literally means 'invincible wind fire wheel', this term is often used humorously to describe something or someone that is extremely powerful or fast. It has roots in gaming culture, where players may boast about their...
He performed like an invincible wind fire wheel in the competition, easily taking the championship.
Literally means 'to take off,' this term is used to express the idea of something skyrocketing in popularity or success, often in a fun or celebratory way. It can refer to trends, memes, or personal achievements.
As soon as this video was posted, it took off; everyone is talking about it.
Literally means 'internet celebrity face.' This term is used to describe people whose appearance is heavily influenced by social media trends, often implying they look overly edited or artificial. It's often used humo...
Her face looks like a typical internet celebrity face, with perfectly edited features.
Literally meaning 'awkward cancer', it humorously describes someone who feels intense embarrassment or discomfort in awkward situations. It's often used jokingly among friends.
He told a corny joke at the party, and everyone felt he had awkward cancer.