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 refers to 'young rich kids' or affluent youth, often used to describe those who display wealth without much regard for effort. It's sometimes used derogatorily to criticize spoiled behavior.
Look at those young rich kids; their spending is so casual.
Meaning 'asking for collections', this term is commonly used by content creators to encourage viewers to bookmark or save their work. It reflects the desire for social media engagement and preservation.
If you like this article, please bookmark it!
This slang term, which translates to 'cool guy', is used to describe fashionable men who embody a trendy and appealing persona. It often reflects admiration for one’s style and attitude.
He is a cool guy at the party; everyone wants to take pictures with him.
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 'super understanding,' used to express empathy or deep understanding, often emphasized in supportive contexts, like friendships or romantic relationships.
You really understand me on another level!
Literally 'bubble head', this refers to a specific trendy hairstyle characterized by a short bob cut, often associated with youthfulness and fashion. It symbolizes a playful and stylish image.
She got a bubble head hairstyle and instantly became youthful.
Damn it! / F*** (all-purpose expletive)
Damn it, I forgot my wallet again!
Literally means 'hearts have a mutual understanding', it describes a deep connection or understanding between people, often in romantic or close friendships.
We have a mutual understanding; we can always think alike.
Translating to 'at most', this phrase indicates that the worst outcome is not as serious as it seems. It provides a sense of reassurance and encourages taking risks.
If I fail, at most I can try again.
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 term refers to the 'programming life' or lifestyle of programmers, often implying a humorous or exaggerated take on the challenges and quirks associated with coding and tech work.
As a programmer, my programming life is really tough.
Means 'not happy', often used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment in a light-hearted way, especially in online discussions.
I’m not happy today because I didn’t do well on the exam.
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.
This phrase means 'endless surprises,' used to describe situations that are full of unexpected delights. It conveys excitement and positive anticipation.
This event is full of surprises; there’s something new every time.
This term translates to 'extra surprise' and refers to unexpected, delightful occurrences that surpass expectations. It can be applied in various contexts, from gifts to personal achievements.
This trip had many extra surprises; I was so happy.
Literally 'pigeon,' this term humorously refers to someone who backs out of commitments or appointments last minute. It reflects a common frustration in social interactions.
He backed out again, really disappointing.
Translating to 'small portion', this term is often used online to refer to people who take things lightly or don’t want to commit fully in situations, especially in relationships.
Are you taking this relationship lightly?
Iron Dummy — affectionate nickname for robots, especially delivery robots and service robots, that are visibly limited or fail in endearing ways.
That food delivery robot got stuck spinning in the doorway — what an iron dummy.
Translating to 'ice and fire, two different skies', this term describes situations that have extremely contrasting conditions or feelings, often used to highlight the duality in experiences, emotions, or outcomes.
Life is always ice and fire, making people feel extremes.
This phrase, literally meaning 'simply put,' is used to express exasperation or disbelief about a situation. It conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or astonished.
This workload is simply overwhelming; it's impossible to finish!
Literally meaning 'animal ears', this term is often used in fandoms to describe characters or cosplayers with animal-like features, popular in anime and gaming culture.
Her animal ear look today is so cute!
Translating to 'milk tea shop', this term represents a trendy space associated with socializing and enjoying new flavors, often reflecting the popular milk tea culture in China. It’s often referenced in social media p...
Let's go to the milk tea shop after work!
Pulling grass - Finally buying something you wanted.
Finally bought this bag I wanted.
This slang term means 'intellectually disabled' but is often used to humorously insult someone perceived as foolish or making poor decisions. It should be used cautiously due to its sensitive nature.
His performance today was really foolish.
Gary Stu - Male equivalent of Mary Sue.
The male lead is a Gary Stu, can do everything.
Translating to 'human comedy,' this term is used to describe everyday humorous situations and events that seem ironic or absurd. It captures the light-hearted moments in life despite its challenges.
Life is like a human comedy; there are always unexpected funny moments.
Literally 'liver emperor,' this term is used to describe someone who plays video games obsessively or spends a lot of time grinding levels. It highlights the dedication and often unhealthy devotion gamers have to cert...
He spends all day grinding in this game and has no time to eat.
Translating to 'little spring,' this term is used to describe the feeling of warmth and positivity during tough times, often when someone finds joy in small things amidst challenges.
In this cold winter, she brought a sense of little spring.
This refers to the popular video game 'Genshin Impact,' which has a massive following in China. It often symbolizes high-quality graphics, engaging gameplay, and a strong community of fans.
Recently, everyone is discussing the new character in Genshin Impact; we’re really looking forward to it.
This idiom means 'to be heartbroken and distressed' and is often used to express strong feelings of regret or sadness about a situation. It reflects emotional depth.
Seeing this news breaks my heart.
This phrase translates to 'don’t set the rhythm' and is used to indicate disapproval of someone trying to control the conversation or steer opinions on social media. It encourages individuality in discussions.
When others are discussing, don’t try to set the rhythm; everyone has their own viewpoints.
This translates to 'instant noodles' and is often used metaphorically to describe quick, convenient meals or life choices. It also reflects a casual lifestyle.
I just want to eat instant noodles tonight; I’m too tired.
To show off one's children, often on social media, reflecting pride and joy in parenting. It highlights a cultural tendency to share family moments online.
I often show off my child on social media, and my friends say my baby is very cute.
Translating to 'you in front of the screen', this phrase is often used in content aimed at engaging online audiences. It creates a sense of connection between the creator and their audience.
Are you in front of the screen ready to step into this story together?
Translating to 'seeing it also makes you laugh', this term is used to refer to content that is so funny or absurd that just the thought of it brings laughter.
This video is really funny; just seeing it makes me laugh!
This term means 'super topic', referring to a specific fandom or community discussion thread on social media platforms like Weibo. It’s where fans gather to talk about their favorite celebrities or themes.
I saw many interesting discussions in a certain super topic today.
Meaning 'African rainbow,' this slang is used to humorously describe something that is unexpectedly vibrant or colorful, often in a surprising or ironic way. It highlights creativity in expression.
His outfit combination is truly an African rainbow; it’s so cool!
Literally meaning 'fried chicken,' this term is a play on words for '超级' (super) and is used to express something being extremely good or excellent. It is often used to convey enthusiasm for something, like a movie or...
This movie is super awesome!
Translating to 'unreliable,' this term is used to describe people or situations that lack dependability or trustworthiness, often implying a sense of disappointment.
This news sounds unreliable; don’t believe it.
Sense of redemption — the emotional uplift you get from witnessing or participating in a compassionate act. Became widely used after 雪山救狐狸 as a label for the specific emotional high of watching someone do something ge...
Seeing this video gave me a sudden sense of redemption — I felt like the world is still a good place.
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 term means 'party' and specifically refers to lively gatherings or parties, especially among young people. It's often associated with fun, celebration, and socializing.
We're going to a party this weekend!
This term translates to 'wanting to be famous', often used in the context of aspiring influencers or content creators on social media. It reflects a desire for recognition and success online.
I’ve started making videos now because I want to be famous.
Translating to 'turning the tide against the wind', this term describes a situation where someone manages to succeed despite facing significant challenges or opposition, offering an inspiring message of resilience.
After hard work, he finally turned the tide and won the competition.
Literally meaning 'plate', in slang it refers to an individual or group that is the target of criticism or gossip, similar to being 'on a chopping block'. It’s often used in discussions about public figures.
This celebrity has recently become the target of everyone’s criticism; many people are talking about him.
Heartwarming moment — a brief scene or clip that warms your heart. Used as a content category tag for videos that generate genuine emotional warmth rather than manipulative sentimentality.
Today's heartwarming moment: a man in the snow rescued a little trapped fox.
Sand sculpture / Silly - Something absurdly funny or stupid.
This video is so silly, I am dying of laughter.
This term means 'narrow victory,' describing a situation where someone wins but only by a small margin. It reflects the tension of a close competition.
This match was a narrow victory; we won at the last moment.
Translating to 'same model,' this term often refers to products that are the same as those used or worn by celebrities or influencers. It signifies the desire to emulate popular styles or trends.
This bag is the same model as the one used by the celebrity; I want to buy one too.
Holy sh*t! / F***! (censorship-safe expletive)
Holy sh*t! I can't find my keys!