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 means 'to clock in' or 'check in', commonly used for sharing experiences or locations on social media. It can also refer to marking attendance in a fun way, particularly in travel or lifestyle contexts.
I checked in at a new coffee shop today!
Literally meaning 'to protect the skin,' this term refers to the beauty routine involving skincare products and practices. It reflects a growing culture around beauty and self-care in modern society.
Her skincare skills amaze me; her skin looks especially good.
Translating to 'cultural export', this term refers to the phenomenon of promoting or sharing cultural elements, including music, fashion, or trends, to a broader audience. It's often used to highlight globalization.
The popularity of Korean dramas is a form of cultural export.
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.
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.
Gas fee - Transaction fees on blockchain networks like Ethereum.
Gas fees are too expensive, a transfer costs tens of yuan.
This phrase means 'to pretend to be foolish' and is used when someone feigns ignorance or naïveté to avoid responsibility or to manipulate a situation. It often has a humorous or tactical implication.
He always pretends to be foolish, not wanting to admit he was wrong.
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.
Translates to 'meme'. This term is used to describe humorous images, videos, or texts that are shared widely online, capturing popular culture or social commentary.
The recent memes are so funny; they make me laugh every day.
Translating to 'to act as one wishes,' this phrase reflects a carefree and independent attitude towards life. It's used to describe pursuing one's desires without constraints.
One should live as they wish, without worrying about others' opinions.
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.
Meaning 'tears of joy', this phrase is used to describe a moment of overwhelming emotion, especially when something heartwarming or moving happens. It reflects deep feelings in response to positive events.
Seeing their reunion, I was in tears of joy.
Meaning 'brainless', this term is used to describe someone or something that lacks depth or thoughtfulness, often humorously highlighting foolishness or naivety.
That decision he made was really thoughtless; he didn’t consider the consequences at all.
Translating to 'full firepower,' this term describes going all out or giving maximum effort in a task or situation. It reflects enthusiasm and commitment.
In this competition, we must go all out and leave no regrets.
This term translates to 'losing followers' and refers to the phenomenon when a social media account experiences a reduction in its number of followers, often due to controversial posts or unpopular content. It reflect...
He recently posted some controversial content, which led to quite a few people unfollowing him.
Literally means 'fake milk tea.' Used to describe someone who pretends to be trendy or stylish but is actually not genuine or sincere.
He always pretends to be a fashionista, but he’s actually just a fake.
Literally means 'green vegetables'; in slang, it refers to someone who is easily pleased or not demanding in relationships. It's often used humorously or lightly in discussions about dating.
Her expectations of her boyfriend are as simple as green vegetables.
Literally meaning 'resignation letter', it is often used in a humorous or dramatic context when someone is ready to quit their job, sometimes jokingly shared on social media.
I wrote a resignation letter last night, but I haven’t decided whether to submit it today.
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.
Literally 'great escape,' this term refers to a clever or cunning way to avoid responsibilities or obligations. It can also signify a fun escape from routine life.
Today, I've decided to escape and go traveling with friends!
Meaning 'back waves,' this term refers to the younger generation or those who are new to the workforce, especially in a context that emphasizes their potential and dynamism. It's often used positively to highlight the...
The younger generation is changing the world, bringing new ideologies.
Translating to 'you are really a genius', this phrase is often used sarcastically to mock someone's foolishness or poor decisions. It serves as a humorous way to express frustration.
Your method is really unreliable; you are truly a genius.
Translating to 'feelings' or 'sentiment,' this term refers to a deep emotional connection with cultural products, like books, movies, or music. It captures nostalgia or love for one’s interests.
This movie evokes my deep feelings.
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.
Translating to 'truth exists in the world,' this phrase is often used to emphasize genuine connections and friendships amidst a superficial society. It reflects an optimistic view of human relationships.
Although life is tough, there’s still true emotion in the world.
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 'cloud dining,' this term is used to describe the phenomenon of enjoying online food content or live-streamed meals. It captures the experience of virtually sharing a meal with others.
I plan to enjoy 'cloud dining' tonight by watching a food livestream.
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 translates to 'suicidal screen scrolling' and describes when someone excessively posts content or comments, overwhelming social media feeds. It conveys a humorous frustration about over-sharing.
He flooded my social media feed tonight; I can barely keep up.
Translates to 'my heart is bitter', this phrase expresses a deep-seated feeling of frustration or sorrow, usually in a humorous or sarcastic way. It reflects the struggles and pressures of modern life.
Seeing my friends succeed, my heart is bitter.
Meaning 'husband' (老公) and 'wife' (老婆), these terms are used affectionately among couples, even those who are not married. They reflect intimacy and care in relationships and have become common in online spaces.
My husband made a delicious dinner today.
Literally means 'thousand-layered pancake'. It describes someone or something that appears straightforward but is actually complex and layered.
He seems simple at first glance, but in reality, he's a thousand-layered pancake with a complex inner world.
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 'sea shopping,' refers to purchasing goods from overseas, especially through the internet. It's a popular trend among Chinese consumers looking for unique products.
I recently got into sea shopping and bought many foreign clothes.
Referring to 'Douyin culture,' this term describes the trends, memes, and behaviors that emerge from using Douyin, China's version of TikTok. It reflects the unique characteristics of short-video platforms.
Douyin culture has made many young people more creative.
Translating to 'Ark of Tomorrow,' this term refers to a popular mobile game that includes strategic elements and character collecting. It has a significant following in gaming culture.
I've recently become obsessed with Ark of Tomorrow.
Meaning 'to agree,' this term is frequently used to express support or approval of someone’s opinion or statement online. It is a key part of the engagement culture on social media.
I strongly agree with your viewpoint.
This phrase means 'ultimate reversal' and is used to describe a situation where the outcome is completely unexpected or ironic. It can be humorous, often used in storytelling.
The story developed to an ultimate reversal at the end; it was so funny.
Literally 'plot twist', this term describes an unexpected turn of events in stories or real-life situations. It is frequently used in discussions about movies, shows, or dramatic real-life occurrences.
The plot twist in this drama was truly unexpected.
Literally 'ten yuan party,' this term humorously describes people who tend to buy very inexpensive items or have a very limited budget. It reflects a playful approach to frugality.
I’m not just a ten yuan party; sometimes I buy more expensive things.
This term means 'bumpy' or 'with ups and downs,' often used to describe a tumultuous or rocky situation, particularly in relationships or projects.
Our friendship has been bumpy, but it’s still very precious.
Translating to 'big melon,' this term refers to major gossip or scandal, especially regarding celebrities and public figures. It reflects the collective excitement surrounding significant news stories.
Today, a big gossip broke online, and everyone is discussing it.
Translating to 'escaping reality,' this term refers to avoiding responsibilities or challenges in life. It's often used humorously to describe binge-watching shows or playing video games instead of facing real-life ob...
On weekends, I just want to escape reality and binge-watch shows.
Literally meaning 'quick hands', it refers to a popular short video platform in China known for user-generated content. It represents a culture of creativity and quick entertainment.
I saw a lot of funny videos on Kuaishou.
Single dog - A humorous self-deprecating term for being single.
I am a happy single dog.
Translating to 'stunned' or 'dumbfounded,' this term is often used to express shock or disbelief at unexpected events or news, especially in a humorous context.
I was really stunned that he lost in the competition.
Translating to 'harvest,' this term is used metaphorically to describe reaping benefits or rewards, often after hard work or effort. It's popular in business and investment discussions.
After months of hard work, it's time to reap the rewards.
Translating literally to 'dry rice,' this term humorously refers to the act of eating, often used to indicate someone who eats a lot or enjoys meals intensely.
The food at this restaurant is really good; I enjoyed my meal a lot today.
Translating to 'smoke rising,' this term is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is working hard or feeling overwhelmed with tasks. It conveys a sense of urgency and intensity.
Lately, I've been working so hard that I feel overwhelmed.
Translating to 'the myriad of human conditions,' this term reflects the diverse experiences and emotions people encounter throughout life. Often used in discussions about human nature and society.
Through this film, we see the myriad of human conditions; it’s thought-provoking.