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
Translating to 'make friends,' this term can be used both literally and to describe the act of networking or connecting with others in a social context. It emphasizes the importance of relationships.
Making friends was very important when I was in university.
Translating to 'mind map,' this term refers to a visual tool for organizing thoughts and ideas. It's often used in educational and professional settings to enhance comprehension and creativity.
To prepare for the report, I organized all my thoughts using a mind map.
This term, derived from gaming, stands for 'Area of Effect' and refers to abilities that impact multiple targets at once. It's commonly used in discussions about strategy and gameplay.
This character's AOE skill is really strong; it can hit many people at once.
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!
Literally translating to 'must see,' this term is used to recommend movies, shows, or content that is considered essential viewing. It conveys a sense of urgency and importance in recommendations.
This movie is truly a must-see; it's so touching.
Translating to 'blind eye', this term is used to describe someone who fails to notice obvious things, often in a humorous or slightly insulting manner.
This person is really oblivious; they can't see that she likes him.
Translating to 'irritable' or 'hasty', this term is used to describe someone who is easily angered or quick-tempered. It often conveys a sense of frustration or impatience.
He’s really irritable; he gets angry at the slightest inconvenience.
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!
This phrase means 'deceiving me is non-negotiable,' used to express a strong reaction to being tricked or fooled. It's often used humorously in response to surprising news or situations.
You didn't even tell me about this; deceiving me is non-negotiable!
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 'killing time', this phrase refers to activities that occupy one's time without necessarily being productive. It reflects a casual or leisurely approach to passing moments while waiting or looking for e...
I like watching videos to kill time.
Translating to 'Worry Relief Grocery Store,' this term comes from a popular novel and symbolizes a place where people can find solutions to their problems or share their worries. It's rooted in the concept of communit...
My friend is like a 'worry relief grocery store'; they always give me good advice.
This term refers to dried plums, often used humorously to describe a person who is sour or negative, likely in response to something happy or upbeat.
Don't be a sourpuss; cheer up; life must go on.
Censored / disappeared / not found — borrowed from the HTTP 404 error code. In Chinese internet culture, 404 refers to content deleted or blocked by censorship. "404'd" means something has been scrubbed from the Chine...
That article has been 404'd — it's gone.
Translating to 'echo', it refers to situations where one's words or opinions resonate with others, often used in discussions about social media trends or content that gains a lot of attention.
This video has a big echo; everyone is discussing it.
The 996 work schedule — working from 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week. The symbol of overwork culture and labor exploitation in China's tech industry. Sparked massive national debate about workers' rights.
The 996 schedule is completely normal at this company — there's no life outside work.
Translating to 'a bolt from the blue,' this term describes an unexpected shock or surprising news. It captures the feeling of sudden change in a dramatic way.
His resignation was truly a bolt from the blue for me.
This means 'crying emoji,' commonly used to express exaggerated sadness, humor, or dramatic reactions in conversations. It reflects a playful way to convey emotions online.
When I saw this bad news, I sent a crying emoji.
Translating to 'hot mom', this term is used to describe fashionable and attractive mothers who manage to maintain their style and charisma despite the challenges of parenting. It celebrates modern motherhood.
She’s a hot mom; she always looks so young.
Literally meaning 'pressure mountain big,' it describes feeling overwhelmed or heavily stressed. It's a humorous exaggeration that has become popular among young people.
Work and studying make me feel overwhelmed; I want a holiday.
Translating to 'followers,' this term refers to people who follow a particular trend, celebrity, or influencer, often in a fanatical way. It emphasizes the nature of digital fandom and the impact of social media.
He has thousands of followers on his social media.
Meaning 'to suffer from a cruel hand,' this phrase is used humorously to describe situations where someone suffers a humorous or unfortunate fate at the hands of someone else. It often appears in a playful context.
At my friend's party, I suffered a cruel fate and was dragged to dance.
This term literally means 'poisoned milk' and is used to describe situations where someone or something is seemingly doing well but is doomed to fail due to the speaker's words or actions. It's often used humorously i...
I accidentally cursed him with poison milk, and he lost the competition.
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.
Peerless master — a martial artist of supreme, unrivaled skill in wuxia fiction. Used online as enthusiastic hyperbole for anyone who is exceptionally good at anything — cooking, gaming, studying, even parking a car.
The speed at which he codes — he is an absolute peerless master!
Translating to 'eating watermelon,' it refers to casually watching or observing drama unfold, especially on social media. It denotes a sense of detachment and amusement while enjoying the show.
Seeing their argument, I can only sit on the sidelines and watch the drama unfold.
Literally 'young boys and girls', this term is often used to refer to teenagers or young adults, particularly in the context of discussions about youth culture, trends, and influences.
The young boys and girls had a big reaction to this drama.
Translating to 'not asking for others', this term describes a self-sufficient attitude where one prefers to rely on oneself rather than depend on others for help or support.
I prefer to be self-sufficient and solve my problems myself.
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 '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.
Translating to 'self-doubt,' this term captures feelings of uncertainty about one’s abilities or worth. It resonates with young adults facing pressures of success and often appears in motivational contexts.
In the workplace, self-doubt is a common feeling shared by many.
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.
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.
This phrase means 'let's start with a wave', often used when introducing something or initiating a discussion. It’s a playful way of engaging others.
Let's start the meeting with a warm-up.
Bye bye — 88 sounds like 拜拜 (bāi bāi), the Mandarin phonetic borrowing of the English "bye bye." The quickest and most universal numeric farewell in Chinese digital communication.
Going offline — bye bye!
The term mimics the sound of something rolling or tumbling, often used to represent procrastination or an idle lifestyle. It can also describe a situation where things don't go as planned, adding a playful tone.
I rolled around all afternoon and didn't get anything done.
Translating to 'unlock new skills,' this term describes acquiring new talents or experiences, often used in a humorous context to announce personal achievements or growth.
Recently, I unlocked a new skill: I learned how to bake cakes.
Meaning 'dancer', this term has gained popularity on platforms like Douyin to describe users who post dance videos. It's often used endearingly to refer to both amateur and professional dancers.
Every time she dances, I feel like she's a dancer.
Translating to 'not in agreement with a single word', this phrase is used to describe conflicts that arise unexpectedly or without sufficient reason. It suggests a sudden fallout, often used humorously or dramatically.
We had a sudden disagreement, and it turned quite unpleasant.
This term means 'to lay out the cards' and refers to revealing one's true intentions or feelings, often used in discussions of relationships or business deals. It's about being honest and straightforward.
We finally laid our cards on the table, and we both know each other's true feelings.
This phrase literally means 'grandma's' but is used as an exclamation of frustration or annoyance. It functions similarly to an expletive in English, embodying a sense of disbelief or irritation.
Damn it, why is this game so hard!
This cute term refers to someone who is a 'drifter' or goes with the flow, often in a carefree manner. It’s typically used to describe young people who are relaxed and spontaneous in their approach to life.
He’s always so carefree; I really admire that!
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 '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.
Translating to 'rich or poor,' this phrase is used to refer to the dichotomy of wealth in society. It highlights the stark differences between those who have money and those who struggle financially.
Whether you are rich or poor, life must go on.
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!
Literally meaning 'bottle cap,' this term is used in online conversations to refer to someone who rarely contributes or participates in discussions, akin to being mute in a group. It can be playful or critical.
In this group, you’re just a bottle cap, not contributing much.
Meaning 'to mock' or 'to ridicule,' this term is often used in internet culture to describe clever comebacks or sarcastic remarks aimed at someone or something.
His comment is just full of mockery!
Translating to 'powerful pampering,' this phrase is used to describe someone who is doted upon or spoiled by others due to their talents or abilities. It's often used in contexts related to relationships and friendships.
He is pampered in the team; everyone takes extra care of him.
This literally means 'seafood', but in internet slang, it's used to describe someone who is 'fresh' or 'new', often in a humorous or mocking way.
His performance today was really fresh.