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, meaning 'dance fairy,' is used to refer to individuals who excel at dancing, often showcasing their skills on platforms like Douyin. It reflects admiration for their talent and grace.
She was called the dance fairy in the dance competition.
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 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.
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.
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.
Literally 'milk tea is top-notch', this phrase expresses a strong affection for milk tea, which is immensely popular among young people. It represents the culture of enjoying bubble tea outings.
Let's go have some top-notch milk tea today!
Bullsh*t / Nonsense (literally: dog fart)
Everything you said is bullsh*t, stop lying to me.
Meaning 'to speculate', this term is used in discussions where opinions or theories about uncertain outcomes are shared. It emphasizes conjecture based on limited information.
This is my speculation; what do you think?
Translating to 'refuse to yield even if beaten', this term describes a person who is determined and resilient despite adversity. It is often used to praise someone's strength of character.
Her spirit is unyielding even if beaten; we should learn from her.
Healing genre — a category of content or aesthetics with a soothing, restorative quality. Originally from Japanese iyashikei, it describes anything — videos, animals, food, slow life — that makes you feel calm and hea...
Snow Mountain Fox Rescue is typical healing-genre content — I felt much less stressed after watching.
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.
Literally meaning 'white society', it's used to critique societal norms or pressures that feel unnatural or oppressive, often highlighting the absurdities of modern life.
We live in an absurd society; the pressures make it hard to breathe.
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.
'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 '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.
This term means 'to enlighten or educate,' often used in contexts where information is shared to clear up misunderstandings. It's akin to giving a crash course on a topic.
Let me enlighten you on this hot topic.
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.
Literally 'Powerpuff Girls', this term is used to describe strong, independent women who can handle challenges with finesse. It conveys empowerment and the ability to multitask.
She handles work and family effortlessly; she's like the Powerpuff Girls.
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!
Seed phrase / Mnemonic - Recovery words for your crypto wallet.
Write your seed phrase on paper, do not store it on your phone.
This phrase translates to 'a mother’s heart' and is used to describe someone who is overly caring or protective, often in a humorous way. It conveys a sense of nurturing, sometimes to a fault.
You really have a mother’s heart, always worrying about me.
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.
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 'one wave, three folds,' this phrase describes a situation or story that has many twists and turns. It is used to convey the complexity of events, especially in narratives or dramas.
This movie really had many twists; I didn't expect the ending to be like that.
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.
This is a playful sound that mimics a sheep's bleat and is often used at the end of sentences to add a cute or soft tone. It can express uncertainty or cuteness.
The weather is really nice today, baa~
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.
Literally 'cat killer,' this term humorously refers to someone who is extremely cute or charming, to the point where they can 'kill' you with cuteness. It's often used to describe adorable pets or individuals.
Your little cat is truly a cat killer!
Literally 'giving away a person's head', this slang is used to describe situations in gaming where someone is easily defeated or gives up points to opponents, often in a humorous sense.
In this game, I really just gave away my points.
This term refers to the practice of 'anti-recommendation'—essentially warning friends against something instead of promoting it. It often indicates a critical view on something that seems overrated.
I would anti-recommend this movie; it’s really not good.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Translating to 'snack demon,' this term describes someone who loves to eat snacks excessively, often to an endearing extreme. It reflects a playful attitude towards food, particularly in a humorous context.
I'm really a snack demon; I just want to eat something all the time.
Translating to 'speak carefully,' this term advises caution in conversations, especially regarding sensitive topics. It emphasizes the importance of choosing words wisely.
Everyone should speak carefully when discussing this issue.
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.
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 'seeking fun,' this term is often used to describe the act of looking for entertainment or engaging in silly behavior.
During the holiday, it’s all about seeking fun!
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.
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.
Literally 'learn now and sell now', this phrase describes a situation where someone quickly learns a skill or information just to use it immediately, often used humorously regarding unpreparedness.
I went to the interview today, completely learning on the fly.
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.
Translates to 'popcorn,' used in online chats to indicate being entertained or watching a dramatic situation unfold. It suggests someone is enjoying the 'show' of events happening.
This TV drama is so good; it's totally a popcorn-watching pace!
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.
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.
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.
Literally meaning 'explode', in slang it describes something that is extremely exciting or impressive. It can be used to hype up events, news, or trends that gain sudden popularity.
This video is really explosive; the views have already surpassed a million!
Translating to 'saving money', this term refers to the act of accumulating funds with a specific goal in mind. It emphasizes the desire for financial security or luxury items.
I have been saving money to buy a new phone recently.
Translating to 'gaming waste', this term is a self-deprecating way to describe oneself or others who are not skilled in gaming. It can be used humorously among friends or to express frustration.
I was really a gaming noob today.