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.
So broke you can hear the coins clinking — a vivid, humorous Beijing expression for extreme poverty. The image is your last few coins rattling around in an otherwise empty wallet. Used to describe being flat broke wit...
The week before payday I am so broke I can hear coins clinking — only eating steamed buns at home.
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.
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.
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!
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.
This term refers to 'formal or surface-level talk', often used to describe insincere pleasantries or polite expressions that lack genuine sentiment.
We said a lot of formalities at the gathering, but there wasn't much real communication.
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 meaning 'ride the wind and break the waves,' this phrase conveys determination and courage in overcoming difficulties. Popularized by inspirational quotes and trending in motivational contexts.
On the path to pursuing our dreams, we must ride the wind and break the waves.
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 '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.
Literally meaning 'pufferfish,' this term is often used to describe something that is dangerous yet appealing, much like the dish made from pufferfish which can be toxic if not prepared correctly.
This adventure is like a pufferfish, both thrilling and dangerous.
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.
Literally means 'blender' or 'mixing person,' this humorous term is used to describe someone who does nothing productive but pretends to be busy or is a slacker. It often has a light-hearted, mocking tone.
He spends all day just being a slacker and doesn't work seriously at all.
Translating to 'personal signature,' this refers to the custom signature or quote that individuals use in their online profiles or social media. It's often a reflection of one's personality or current mood.
I changed my personal signature to let everyone know how I'm feeling lately.
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 'leg essence,' this term is often used to describe people, typically women, with particularly attractive legs. It highlights an appreciation for physical beauty, especially in fashion contexts.
She really has gorgeous legs; she looks great in anything.
Protecting life — used both in its traditional Buddhist sense of non-harm to all living beings and as a modern hashtag for animal rescue and conservation content. Spread widely as a caption for wildlife rescue videos ...
This is a genuine act of protecting life — not done for views.
Translating to 'stream of consciousness,' this term is used to describe a style of writing or expression that flows freely without a strict structure. It often reflects personal thoughts and feelings.
His article has a stream of consciousness feel, making it very pleasant to read.
Translates to 'smash cucumber,' and is used humorously to describe actions that are awkward or clumsy. It is often employed in a playful manner to diffuse embarrassing situations.
I was so clumsy at the gathering today, it was really embarrassing.
Translating to 'lifting heavy as if light,' this term describes handling complex or difficult tasks with ease and confidence. It can be used to commend someone's skills or attitude.
She handles this project with such ease; it's impressive.
This phrase means 'really impressive' or 'awesome.' It is often used to compliment someone's skills or achievements, particularly in competitive fields like sports or academics.
Your speech was really impressive; everyone loved it.
Translating to 'alternative,' this term is used to describe unconventional styles, tastes, or ideas, often in fashion or art contexts. It embraces individuality and nonconformity.
His fashion style is quite alternative, attracting a lot of attention.
Translating to 'real-life version,' this term describes real situations that mirror or are reminiscent of scenarios typically seen in movies, games, or literature. It's used to discuss relatable experiences.
This trip is like a real-life version of an adventure story.
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.
Translates to 'youth is invincible,' this phrase celebrates the energy and potential of youth. It's often used in motivational contexts or by younger generations to express confidence.
We are all invincible young people!
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 term describes the phenomenon of staying up late to watch Douyin (TikTok) videos. It's a cultural reference to binge-watching short videos that can easily lead to losing track of time.
I spent another Douyin night last night; it was so funny.
Translating to 'dormitory economy', this term refers to a trend where students or young adults monetize their living spaces, often by creating content or running small businesses from their dorms. It reflects the entr...
Many people are now engaging in dormitory economies, using their spaces to make money.
This term means 'to roll' and is used to describe the competitive pressure in various aspects of life, such as education or work. It reflects the feeling of being caught in an endless cycle of competition.
Students today are very competitive; everyone is studying 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 'heart surging waves,' used to express overwhelming emotions, often excitement or passion. It is commonly seen in romantic contexts or during significant events.
Seeing her performance made my heart surge with emotion; I was particularly excited.
Translating to 'pet economy', this term refers to the growing market and trend of pet ownership and the associated consumerism, including pet care, products, and services. It highlights the cultural shift towards view...
The pet economy is growing larger now, and many people are willing to spend money on their pets.
Translating to 'skill points', this term is often used in gaming contexts to refer to the attributes or skills a player can level up. It can also metaphorically refer to talents or strengths in real life.
I've added many skill points in this game.
Pretty girl / babe / sis — MM can stand for 美眉 (měi méi, beautiful eyebrows / pretty girl) or 妹妹 (mèi mèi, little sister). Used to address or describe an attractive young woman, or affectionately among young women to ...
This girl's photos are gorgeous!
Translates to 'cloud pet', this term refers to virtual pets or pets that can be interacted with online rather than physical ones. It reflects a shift in how people engage with companionship in a digital space.
I've raised a cloud pet in the game; it's super cute.
'Deep well ice' refers to someone who is extremely foolish or naive, akin to being in a deep state of ignorance. The phrase is often used humorously to reflect incredulity.
His behavior is truly foolish; I completely don’t understand.
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 term translates to 'girly boy' and is used to refer to men who exhibit traits traditionally associated with femininity. While it can be used derogatorily, it has also been reclaimed by some who embrace a more flu...
He likes to wear makeup; everyone calls him a girly boy.
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.
Meaning 'repeating machine,' this term refers to someone who keeps repeating the same thing or idea, often seen in discussions or arguments. It implies that the person lacks original thoughts or is overly stubborn.
In the discussion, he was like a repeating machine, endlessly restating his viewpoint.
Translating to 'heavy reliance,' this term describes a person or situation that heavily depends on something or someone else, especially in a humorous or exaggerated context.
I'm heavily reliant on this software; I can't live without it.
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!
I'm dead (from cuteness / shock / emotion) — abbreviation of 啊我死了 (ā wǒ sǐ le). Used when something is so cute, beautiful, or emotionally overwhelming that you "die" from it. The Chinese equivalent of "I'm deceased."
Saw their couple photo — AWSL, I'm dead, it's too sweet!
Translating to 'meat pie falling from the sky', this phrase refers to unexpected good fortune or luck, often in a sarcastic sense. It implies that one should not expect free gifts or success without hard work.
Success doesn’t come from meat pies falling from the sky; it requires hard work.
Meaning 'lively' or 'agile', this term is used to describe someone or something that is dynamic, energetic, or charmingly animated. It’s often used in performance or artistic contexts to celebrate expression.
This dance performance is really lively and captivates the audience.
The term literally means 'tea egg,' a popular snack in China. However, it is used as a slang expression referring to someone who seems unremarkable or dull. Its humorous connotation often applies to people who lack pe...
He was just a tea egg at the party, with nothing to talk about.
Meaning 'breaching a promise', this term is used when someone breaks a commitment or agreement, especially in a public context like partnerships or sponsorships. It conveys a sense of betrayal or disappointment.
His breach of promise left everyone disappointed.
This term is a playful way to refer to the person who posts content on forums or social media, often implying they are somewhat of a king or authority in the discussion. It reflects the hierarchy in online conversations.
The posts from the content king always attract attention.
Literally meaning 'little fresh meat', this term is used to describe young and handsome male celebrities or idols. It conveys admiration and sometimes envy regarding youthful attractiveness.
This young idol is very popular in the TV series.
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