Top 111 Chinese Slang from 2008 to 2018

Happy New Year!

To see in the New Year I thought I’d share with you a list of the Top 111 Chinese slang expressions from 2008 to 2018 I’ve compiled.

Note: I refuse to include meaningless terms like “duang” and “skr”. Sorry.

Look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions. I’m sure some of the English translations could use improving.

Enjoy!

Top 111 Chinese Slang from 2008 to 2018

(In no particular order.)

1. 锦鲤

Pronunciation: jǐnlǐ
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “koi”
English translation: 1. good luck 2. good luck charm; talisman 3. lucky person.
Chinese explanation: 鲤鱼是吉祥物,源于“鲤鱼跳龙门”。 锦鲤是鲤鱼的上品,故锦鲤指运气好。
Example sentence: 支付宝将会抽出一条中国锦鲤。

2. 杠精

Pronunciation: gàngjīng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “bickering essence/person good at something”
English translation: person who likes to argue for the sake of arguing; contrarian; opinionated or self-righteous person
Note: From 抬杠 táigàng, “to argue for the sake of arguing or for no reason; to bicker” and 精 jīng, “to be proficient; to be expert at”.
Chinese explanation: 抬杠成精,不管你说什么,他总是反着你说!
Example sentence: A:“早上好!”B:“那晚上就不好了?”A:“做人不要太杠精!”

3. 确认过眼神

Pronunciation: quèrèn guò yǎnshén
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “confirmed [from] the look [in your] eyes”
English translation: From what I can see in your eyes; having confirmed it from your eyes; (I) can confidently confirm that …
Chinese explanation: 《醉赤壁》中的一句歌词,网上使用:确认过的意思,与眼神关系不大。
Example sentence: 确认过眼神,这就是我要买的包。

4. 官宣

Pronunciation: guānxuān
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to officially announce”
English translation: to officially announce or confirm
Chinese explanation: 官方宣布,授权的公告。
Example sentence: 朋友圈官宣:“下午两点聚会!”

5. 英年早婚

Pronunciation: yīngniánzǎohūn
Part of speech: idiom
Literal rendering: “youthful early marriage”
English translation: beautiful people getting married at an early age to the disappointment of their admirers
Chinese explanation: 系“英年早逝”的换字造词,指结婚早令仰慕者失望。
Example sentence: 几年不见,没想到这小子英年早婚!

6. 注孤生

Pronunciation: zhùgūshēng
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “destined [to be] lonely [for] life”
English translation: forever alone; describes someone who wishes to be in a romantic relationship but has no hope of succeeding
Note: Short for 註定孤獨一生/注定孤独一生 (zhùdìng gūdú yīshēng, “doomed to a lonely life”), translation of the English “forever alone” meme.
Chinese explanation: 注定孤独一生的缩写。
Example sentence: 疏远舍友的学霸,活该注孤生!

7. 真香

Pronunciation: zhēnxiāng
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “really fragrant” [i.e. “tastes good”]
English translation: used to describe someone doing something that he or she had previously swore never to do
Chinese explanation: 湖南卫视《变形计》中王境泽所说,指一个人下定决心不去做一件事情,最后却又去做了。即吐槽被打脸。
Example sentence: 某君:“我就是饿死也不吃这种盒饭!”两小时后,一边吃着盒饭,一边说:“真香!”

8. 沙雕

Pronunciation: shādiāo
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “sand sculpture”
English translation: idiot; dickhead
Note: A near-homophone of the original vulgar term 傻屌 shǎdiǎo.
Chinese explanation: 傻屌的谐音。
Example sentence: 感谢沙雕网友,您是我快乐的源泉!

9. 给跪了

Pronunciation: gěi guì le
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “[I] kneel [in front of you]”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Used to express admiration for someone.
Note: From the meaning expressed by kneeling in front of someone in reverence.
Chinese explanation: “我给您跪下了”的简写,表示叹服,拜服。
Example sentence: 啊!连这样的算术都能算错,给跪了!

10. 大猪蹄子

Pronunciation: dà zhūtízi
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “big pig’s feet”
English translation: obnoxious behaviour of men
Note: See also 咸猪手 xiánzhūshǒu, literally “salted pork knuckles”, which now means “hand of a groper or molester”.
Chinese explanation: 唐朝安禄山,绰号龙猪,据说摸了杨贵妃的胸,称“咸猪手(“咸”是“咸湿”,暗指摸触女性器官)”。 《延禧攻略》中用“大猪蹄子”作委婉的表达,程度与“咸猪手”不同,可指男士变心、说话不算数等。
Example sentence: 杨紫分手了,大家又开始说,男人都是大猪蹄子啊!

11. 做头发

Pronunciation: zuò tóufa
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to do [one’s] hair”
English translation: to have an extramarital affair; to cheat on one’s partner; to be unfaithful
Note: Euphemism.
Chinese explanation: 源于某出轨事件的一则回帖,暗指老婆出轨,老公被戴绿帽。
Example sentence: 人家拿这根本不当事儿!这不,老婆又做头发去了!

12. 打扰了

Pronunciation: dǎrǎo le
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “[sorry to] disturb [you]”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Used to joke that one is leaving a conversation as one cannot tolerate the pretentious behaviour of the interlocutor.
Chinese explanation: 表示无语或者惹不起赶紧溜走。
Example sentence: 打扰了!我还有事儿呢!

13. 土味情话

Pronunciation: tǔwèi qínghuà
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “countryside-style/old-fashioned sweet-nothings”
English translation: cheesy pick-up lines
Chinese explanation: 土气味的情话,乡土是“想吐”的谐音,指粗鲁、恶心、肉麻的恶俗情话。
Example sentence: 这段子有啥新鲜?土味情话!

14. 城会玩

Pronunciation: chéng huì wán
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “city [dwellers] can have fun”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Used to respond to someone who did something that is out of the ordinary, hard to understand, or new and strange.
Note: From the phrase: 你们城里人真会玩 nǐmen chénglǐrén zhēn huì wán “You city dwellers really know how to have fun”.
Chinese explanation: “(你们)城里人真会玩”的简写,指无法理解对方的一些做法。
Example sentence:

15. 家里有矿

Pronunciation: jiālǐyǒukuàng
Part of speech: idiom
Literal rendering: “family has a mine”
English translation: from a rich family
Chinese explanation: 出自电视剧《马大帅》的话“啥家庭啊,家里有矿啊?”, 调侃别人家里有钱显摆。
Example sentence: 不能跟人家比呀!人家家里有矿啊!

16. C位

Pronunciation: sēi-wèi
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “C position”
English translation: the most prominent position in a group photo
Note: “C” is from English center + 位 wèi, “position”.
Chinese explanation: 合影时的中心位置(center),即大咔位、核心位。
Example sentence: 不是吹,上学时和同学去厕所尿尿,我都站C位。

17. 佛系

Pronunciation: fóxì
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “Buddhist system”
English translation: carefree, calm and easygoing, supposedly resembling a practitioner of Zen Buddhism
Note: Similar to English “chill” or “zen”. Often collocates with 青年 qīngnián (“youth”) as in 佛系青年 fóxì qīngnián.
Chinese explanation: 指具有像佛那样态度的人,谦和、平淡、不争、友善。
Example sentence: 这么脾气大的人,就算成了佛系,也是武僧。

18. 高能

Pronunciation: gāonéng
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “high ability”
English translation: highly exciting, informative or revealing
Chinese explanation: 又“前方高能反应”,指接下去会有激动、激情、剧烈的场景。
Example sentence: 前方高能表情包,收了不谢!

19. 三观

Pronunciation: sānguān
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “three views”
English translation: the three fundamental views or values of a person, i.e. one’s world view (世界观 shìjièguān), values of worth (价值观 jiàzhíguān) and philosophy on life (人生观 rénshēngguān).
Note: Often used in the humorous phrase 毁三观 huǐ sānguān “to destroy one’s fundamental values; to be jaw-dropping, shocking, surprising, disappointing, etc.”
Chinese explanation: 世界观、人生观、价值观简称“三观”,常见的组合:毁三观、三观正、三观不正、三观合。
Example sentence: 如果男女三观不合,就祝福他们走远点儿!

20. 不明觉厉

Pronunciation: bùmíngjuélì
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “don’t understand, think [it’s] amazing”
English translation: Although I don’t know what you are saying or doing, I think you are (or it is) amazing.
Note: Comes from the phrase 虽然不明白是什么,但是感觉好厉害 suīrán bù míngbai shì shénme, dànshì gǎnjué hǎo lìhài. Shortened to make it resemble a genuine Chinese chengyu (idiom).
Chinese explanation: 出自电影《食神》的“虽不明,但觉厉”,表达对高手的崇拜:我虽然不明白,但感觉厉害!让对方感觉飘飘然的说词。
Example sentence: 你搞得这一套,不明觉厉,细思恐极!

21. 伤不起

Pronunciation: shāngbùqǐ
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “cannot afford to be hurt [by this]”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Consider: [my life is] unfuckable; I’m too vulnerable to suffer from this
Chinese explanation: 最初现于校内体,意思是:经不起伤害了,常指处境差的时候,再出现不好的事情。
Example sentence: 最后一科又不及格?啊!伤不起呀!

22. 傲娇

Pronunciation: àojiāo
Part of speech: noun and adjective
Literal rendering: “tsundere” (originally a Japanese term)
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to a female who is cold, nitpicky who normally assumes a haughty air but is bashful and elicits feelings of moe when in the presence of someone the character likes. Can also be used as an adjective.
Note: Borrowed from Japanese ツンデレ (tsundere), from ツンツン (tsun-tsun, “to turn away in disgust”) + デレデレ (dere-dere, “to become lovey-dovey”).
Chinese explanation: “傲”指高傲:盛气凌人、说话强硬;“娇”指娇滴滴:奶声奶气、献媚缠腻。二者结合起来即为“傲娇”, 傲娇女性发型常被设定为双马尾。
Example sentence: 原本认为大小姐好娇,没想到是个傲娇!

23. 元气满满

Pronunciation: yuánqì mǎnmǎn
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “brimming with vitality”
English translation: cheery; energetic; full of spirit and energy
Note: Borrowed from Japanese 元気満々 (genki manman, “brimming with vitality”).
Chinese explanation: 中医认为元气是生命之本,元气足人健康,元气受损人生病,元气耗尽人死亡。元气满满即指元气充足、精力十分旺盛。
Example sentence: 青春年少,应该每一天都元气满满。

24. 又㕛叒叕

Pronunciation: yòu-yòu-yòu-yòu, yòu-yǒu-ruò-zhuó
Part of speech: adverb
Literal rendering: “again again again again”
English translation: again; once again; once more
Note: Comes from 又 yòu, “again”, with its doubly, triply and quadruply stacked forms. Its alternative form is 又双叒叕. There are many other such duplicated slang terms like 火炎焱燚 huǒ-yán-yàn-yì, 屮艸芔茻 chè-cǎo-huì-mǎng, etc.
Chinese explanation: 这是“又”的叠字组合:一为单,二为双,三为众,三为遍。表示一而再,再而三,三而又……反复没完没了。
Example sentence: 小心啊!暴风雨又㕛叒叕要来了!

25. 好人卡

Pronunciation: hǎorénkǎ
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “good-person card”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to the metaphorical “card” given to men romantically rejected by women. In English we would express this sentiment as “You are a good person, but …”
Note: See also 发卡 fākǎ, a verb which means “to hand out a card which says ‘you are a good person’ after being confessed to”, in other words, “to reject romantic advances”.
Chinese explanation: 男女恋爱很长一段时间,女方说“你是个好人,但我们不能在一起。”这是分手的意思,拿到“好人卡”的人是付出很多但被对方拒绝的人。
Example sentence: 可怜的老幺,又拿到一张好人卡!

26. 北漂

Pronunciation: běipiāo
Part of speech: noun and verb
Literal rendering: “North [i.e. the Northern Capital, Beijing] drifter”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to a person without Beijing registered residence who has migrated to Beijing from other places in China seeking opportunities and a better life. Can also be used as a verb.
Chinese explanation: 在北京漂浮,指到北京谋生,住处、工作、未来等,都处于漂浮不定的状态。
Example sentence: 风餐露宿,北漂本身就是一首诗!

27. 单身狗

Pronunciation: dānshēngǒu
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “single dog”
English translation: a single person; singleton.
Note: Often used self-deprecatingly. See also 虐狗 nüègǒu, lit., “to torture the dog”, i.e. to “torture” an unpartnered person by publicly displaying one’s affection in a couple and 脱单 tuōdān which is short for脱离单身 tuōlí dānshēn “to break away from singledom”, i.e. to start dating; to be no longer single.
Chinese explanation: 单身(未婚状态)的人,在汉语中用“狗”描述人带有贬义(是可怜、邋遢、贫困的代名词),自己称自己为自嘲,用于别人带有讥讽。
Example sentence: 这个不行,那个也不行,难道你要当一辈子的单身狗!

28. 压力山大

Pronunciation: yālìshāndà
Part of speech: idiom
Literal rendering: “the pressure is as big as a mountain”
English translation: under great pressure
Note: This humorous term is a similar-sounding rendition of 亚历山大 Yàlìshāndà, “Alexander”.
Chinese explanation: Alexander (the Great)译音译成中文为“亚历山大”,“ 亚历”与“压力”谐音,压力山大是指压力像山一样大(多指生活的压力大)。
Example sentence: 负担越来越重,收入还是那点儿,压力山大呀!

29. 吐槽

Pronunciation: tǔcáo or tùcáo
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to find faults” (originally a Min Nan term)
English translation: 1. to pick flaws or bitch about something, especially by sharing one’s unpleasant experience 2. to talk trash or roast someone.
Note: From the Taiwanese Mandarin phonetic rendering of Min Nan 黜臭 “to find faults; to pick flaws”.
Chinese explanation: 有人认为源于日语,相当于相声的“捧哏”。但“槽”在中文中不是吃饭的饭碗,喂猪或牲口的食具称“槽”,故“吐槽”有恶心、揭底、拆台的意思。
Example sentence: 太离谱了!怕要吐槽了!

30. 吃瓜

Pronunciation: chīguā
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to eat melon/melon seed”
English translation: to be a bystander or onlooker.
Note: Often used as self-address. See also 吃瓜群众 chīguā qúnzhòng which refers to onlookers who are unaware of the situation or who do not wish to be involved.
Chinese explanation: 又作“吃瓜群众”,源于记者因事采访一位老伯,老伯说:“我什么也不知道,我当时在吃西瓜。”用来自嘲或互嘲,表示事不关己、不愿发表意见。
Example sentence: 这事与我们何干?吃瓜群众,洗洗睡吧!

31. 吃货

Pronunciation: chīhuò
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “eating commodity”
English translation: foodie; gourmet
Note: Its original, derogatory meaning referred to a person who eats all day and does nothing productive with their life. It can also be used this way, so the negativity of its tone is dependent on the given context.
Chinese explanation: 传统汉语中,“吃货”是贬义词,分量较重,与“饭桶”接近,是好吃懒做的代名词。现在用于表达特别能吃,爱吃的人。但自嘲可以,用于他人特别是指名道姓时要慎重。
Example sentence: 这点儿事都搞不定,真是个吃货!

32. 吃鸡

Pronunciation: chījī
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “to eat chicken”
English translation: to win a game
Note: Originally referred to winning in a game of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
Chinese explanation: 语出游戏《绝地求生:大逃杀》,当你获得第一名的时候就会出现:“大吉大利,晚上吃鸡”。 据说拉斯维加斯赌场赢一次赌的回馈是$2.00,够买一份鸡肉饭,而中文“鸡”与“吉”谐音,故吃鸡即吉利的意思。
Example sentence: 好大的一个红包啊!今晚吃鸡!

33. 呵呵

Pronunciation: hēhē
Part of speech: interjection
Literal rendering: “hehe” (onomatopoeia)
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to the sound of derisive or perfunctory laughter.
Note: Originally referred to “hehe” as a sound of laughter, but this usage has been more or less replaced by the new meaning.
Chinese explanation: 古汉语中“呵呵”同“哈哈”,但现代汉语中,表达的是一种嘲讽、讥讽的态度,带有贬义。
Example sentence: 这家伙逞强好胜,呵呵!

34. 喪文化

Pronunciation: sàngwénhuà
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “dispirited culture”
English translation: the pessimistic outlook of millennials
Chinese explanation: 指青年中的带有颓废、绝望、悲观等情绪和色彩的语言、文字或图画,典型的如”废柴”、”葛优躺”等。
Example sentence: 学什么葛优躺、僵尸、犬儒,整个一丧文化!

35. 土豪

Pronunciation: tǔháo
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “local tyrant”
English translation: uncultured nouveau riche; rural tycoon; newly-rich who dresses inappropriately and behaves awkwardly in public; cashed-up bogan
Note: It is also sometimes used humorously to refer to any rich person.
Chinese explanation: 过去指有钱有势的恶霸豪强。网络是指豪爽地花钱的人,尤其是那些有钱有喜欢炫耀的人,即很土的富豪。
Example sentence: 屌丝捧红了女神,女神却嫁给了土豪!

36. 圣母婊

Pronunciation: shèngmǔbiǎo
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “a bitch in the Virgin Mary’s clothing”
English translation: 1. one who appears loving and caring but is actually mean and evil 2. one who is loving and tolerant (to the socially disadvantaged), even at the expense of a devastating outcome
Chinese explanation: 指表面善良内心阴暗的人,就是那种装成圣母的婊子。
Example sentence: 这女子表面上温文尔雅,实际上是满脑子坏水的圣母婊!

37. 坑爹

Pronunciation: kēngdiē
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “to defraud dad”
English translation: dishonest; fraudulent; deceptive
Note: Can also be shortened to 坑 kēng.
Chinese explanation: 指被对方欺骗、耍了、害了,“爹”指被坑者本人,中文中当别人爹等于辱骂对方,此处用于表示被骗者非常恨对方。
Example sentence: 这坑爹的破车又抛锚了!

38. 基友

Pronunciation: jīyǒu
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “gay friend”
English translation: good friend (often one who is over-intimate); close friend; buddy (of a man)
Note: The literal meaning, “gay friend”, can also be used with that meaning. It comes from Cantonese 基佬 gei1 lou2 (in Mandarin jīlǎo). 基 gei1 is borrowed from English “gay”.
Chinese explanation: 有多种含义:1、对男同性恋者的另一种称呼,源于粤语中对“gay”的音译,现在多改称 “基佬”。2.称呼好友,尤指关系好的同性朋友。3、买卖基金的人之间的称呼。
Example sentence: 再难,有基友在,总会过去的!

39. 外貌协会

Pronunciation: wàimào xiéhuì
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “appearance association” (i.e. an “association” of people who judge others based solely on appearance)
English translation: obsession with appearance; superficiality; shallowness; lookism
Note: See also 看脸 kànliǎn “to judge people based on their looks”.
Chinese explanation: 对奉行“外貌至上,外貌高于一切”理念的人的统称,泛指那些以貌取人的人。
Example sentence: 小妹是外貌协会的,找个意中人不容易呀!

40. 天菜

Pronunciation: tiāncài
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “heavenly dish”
English translation: perfect ideal partner; someone who is exactly one’s type (usually considered physically attractive)
Chinese explanation: 一说源于《快乐大本营》,如某人是我喜欢的类型,就会被称为“某人是我的菜(英文中也有类似说法:he is a dish、he is dishy等)”,天是极,故“天菜”即极品的意思,极其符合我要找的人。也有人认为“天菜”为“天才”的谐音。另,天菜确为一种蔬菜,十字花科,宁波地区多产。
Example sentence: 别掺乎!这是我的天菜!

41. 奇葩

Pronunciation: qípā
Part of speech: noun and adjective
Literal rendering: “strange corolla [of a flower]”
English translation: someone who behaves outside social norms; freak; weirdo
Note: Originally referred to an exotic flower, or figuratively as a wonderful piece of work. The new slang sense can also be used as an adjective roughly equivalent to English “freaky” or “weird”.
Chinese explanation: 汉语中原来就有“奇葩”一词,奇:罕见的、出众的;葩:花,华丽。指奇特而美丽的花朵,也比喻不同寻常的优秀文艺作品或非常出众的人物。网络比喻某人(或某事物)十分离奇,个性十足,世间罕至。男女均可使用,如奇葩男、奇葩女等。
Example sentence: 推文自吹到如此程度,也算网上奇葩!

42. 女汉子

Pronunciation: nǚhànzi
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “female strong-man”
English translation: tomboy; overly masculine girl
Chinese explanation: 指一般行为和性格向男性靠拢的一类女性,可能言行粗鲁、个性豪爽、独断独行等大众认为女性不应拥有的特质。
Example sentence: 再强的女汉子,也有掉眼泪的时候!

43. 女神

Pronunciation: nǚshén
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: goddess
English translation: the goddess of one’s heart
Note: See also the male equivalent 男神 nánshén, a “male god”, that is, a man who is typically handsome, caring or wealthy that a girl is infatuated with. Roughly equivalent to English “one’s dream guy” or “Mister Right”.
Chinese explanation: 汉语中女神指女性的神明或神仙,俗称娘娘。生活中男性在追求女性、或者恋爱期间对喜欢的女性的一种赞美的称呼。网络中女神通常指粉丝对其女偶像的爱称。
Example sentence: 她曾是歌迷眼中的女神,如今人老珠黄、风光不再了。

44. 妻管严

Pronunciation: qīguǎnyán
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “wife controls strictly”
English translation: to be henpecked by one’s wife; to be submissive at home
Note: This humorous term is a near-homophonic play on 气管炎 qìguǎnyán, “tracheitis”.
Chinese explanation: 指怕老婆、听老婆话、受老婆严管的男人,又称“气管炎”,与“妻管严”谐音,具有一定的贬义。
Example sentence: 老肖是出名的妻管严,干什么都要看着老婆的脸色行事。

45. 学渣

Pronunciation: xuézhā
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “studying dregs”
English translation: one whose academic grade is poor (due to slackness); underachiever
Note: See also its antonym 学霸 xuébà which roughly translates as “studyholic; brainiac; top student; straight-A student; high achiever; overachiever”.
Chinese explanation: 又称“学灰”,原来指平日学习不努力,期末考试临时抱佛脚的学生。现在泛指平时学习不正经、期末成绩不好,与“学霸”相反。
Example sentence: 小学、初中、高中,他都是有名的学渣,如今成了大作家!

46. 安利

Pronunciation: ānlì
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: (phonetic)
English translation: to passionately recommend; to introduce; to promote
Note: Verbalization of the US company Amway’s Chinese name. Possibly due to the company employing pyramid scheme-like techniques in mainland China, making its sales representatives promote their products in passionate and hyperbolic ways.
Chinese explanation: 源于安利(Amway)公司,其销售杯很多人视为“直销”、“传销”的代言词,进而成为推销、强烈推荐的意思。
Example sentence: 现在的销售业绩还是不行,抓紧安利啊!

47. 宅男

Pronunciation: zháinán
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “otaku man” (originally a Japanese term)
English translation: (male) nerd; homebody
Note: 宅 zhái is from Japanese お宅 otaku “otaku” + 男 nán “man”. The female equivalent is 宅女 zháinǚ.
Chinese explanation: 有人认为这个词来源于日文“御宅”,其实此处“宅”也是汉语中常见的名词动用。“宅男”是指整天呆在家里,活在自己幻想里的人。女生则称之为“宅女”。
Example sentence: 张家二小子是个宅男,没想到他能搞出很多发明。

48. 富二代

Pronunciation: fù’èrdài
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “rich second generation”
English translation: one who belongs to the second generation of a wealthy family
Note: See also 官二代 guān’èrdài which refers to the children of government officials, so-called “officiallings”.
Chinese explanation: 中国改革开放后,最早一代民营企业家“富一代”们的子女,主要是80后,他们靠继承家产,拥有丰厚财富。
Example sentence: 现在的富二代,有几个会想到“富不过三代”?

49. 小三

Pronunciation: xiǎosān
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “little three”
English translation: other woman; someone romantically involved with a person already in a committed relationship; mistress
Chinese explanation: 小三是指第三者,指夫妻法定婚姻之外的第三方情侣、配偶,一般指女性的第三者。
Example sentence: 大多数小三远不是我们想象的有钱有房有拥抱,更多的恐怕是眼泪、恐惧和苦恼!

50. 小哥哥

Pronunciation: xiǎogēge
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “little elder brother”
English translation: No equivalent in English. This affectionate term is a cute term of address for a young man.
Note: See also the female equivalent 小姐姐 xiǎojiějie, “little elder sister”, a cute term of address for a young woman.
Chinese explanation: 源于网络段子:“小哥哥这个称呼真是又温柔又善良笑起来又好看。”一般是女士称呼年轻的男生,视情况可能中性,也可能有些亲昵、暧味,与“小哥”称呼截然不同。
Example sentence: 没想到有这么好的小哥哥,下次来,姐有好吃的!

51. 小资

Pronunciation: xiǎozī
Part of speech: noun or adjective
Literal rendering: “little capital”
English translation: petite bourgeoisie, specifically a lifestyle chasing modern taste, living standards and arts, or one who is living such lifestyle; yuppie
Note: Short for 小资产阶级 xiǎo zīchǎn jiējí. Can also be used as an adjective similar to English “yuppie” or “trendy”.
Chinese explanation: 小资产阶级的简称,现指有一定经济基础,追求物质和精神享受的年轻人,多为年轻都市白领,但与“中产阶级”在经济上有差距。
Example sentence: 看见了没?人家现在是小资,走路都朝上面看!

52. 小鲜肉

Pronunciation: xiǎoxiānròu
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “little fresh meat”
English translation: young handsome boy
Note: Popularized by the Taiwanese variety-comedy talk show Kangsi Coming.
Chinese explanation: 出自台湾综艺节目《康熙来了》,用于形容男演员,指年轻、帅气的新生代男偶像。
Example sentence: 像他这样老演小鲜肉,早晚被粉丝抛弃。

53. 屌丝

Pronunciation: diǎosī
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “penis hair”
English translation: loser; deadbeat; no-hoper; slacker; good-for-nothing
Note: Vulgar.
Chinese explanation: 出自贴吧的一次对骂,骂对方为“屌”,其粉丝即为“屌丝”。后引申为人生活爱情的失败者。
Example sentence: 作为创业路上的一名屌丝,他还是经得住这点儿挫折。

54. 山寨

Pronunciation: shānzhài
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “mountain fortress/fortified mountain village”
English translation: fake or pirated good, especially an electronic one; knockoff
Note: Sometimes translated directly as “shanzhai”. Can also be used figuratively.
Chinese explanation: 语出《水浒传》梁山泊,山寨即政府管制鞭长莫及的地方,用来指有嫌疑仿冒、伪造、盗版的商家产品。
Example sentence: 什么都能山寨出来,真有本事。

55. 干货

Pronunciation: gānhuò
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “dry goods”
English translation: 1. something that is practical 2. substantial content; substance
Note: In its original meaning it can also refer to dried fruit specifically.
Chinese explanation: 原有意思是指经风干、晾晒去除水分之后的食品,现多指传授知识或经验时,内容重点突出、实用、无虚夸成分。
Example sentence: 注意没?今天老师讲的全是干货。

56. 弹幕

Pronunciation: dànmù
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “barrage” (artillery bombardment)
English translation: comments that scroll across the video screen
Note: The slang meaning is a borrowing from Japanese 弾幕 danmaku.
Chinese explanation: 源自日本弹幕视频分享网站(niconico动画),有大量的吐槽评论出现时的效果称弹幕。中文指的是在网络上观看视频时弹出的评论性字幕,与出现的频度没有关系。
Example sentence: 密密麻麻的弹幕影响了我瞄准射击。

57. 房奴

Pronunciation: fángnú
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “house [mortgage] slave”
English translation: a person who works hard to earn their mortgage repayments
Chinese explanation: 房屋的奴隶,是指城镇居民抵押贷款购房,每年用收入的40%、50%甚至更高的比例去偿还贷款本息,造成家庭生活困难及长期压力,整天为房子卖力。
Example sentence: 刚当了房奴,又当了车奴,还有做孩奴,这辈子算是跟奴标上了劲。

58. 打call

Pronunciation: dǎ-kōu or dǎ-kāo
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “to call”
English translation: to show one’s support (by waving one’s glow sticks and singing along at concerts); to cheer on; to encourage; to praise
Note: “Call” is English, influenced by Japanese コール (kōru), and refers to the act of fans “calling out” (i.e. shouting) and swaying their glow sticks together in live performances.
Chinese explanation: 源于日本演唱会的Live应援,粉丝们呼唤、喊叫、跟着节奏挥舞荧光棒,表示对台上偶像歌手的肯定和支持。
Example sentence: 唱到这一句,你们就在下面打call。听好没?

59. 接地气

Pronunciation: jiē dìqì
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “connecting with the qi of the earth”
English translation: 1. (especially of someone in authority) earthy and sincere; close to the people; down-to-earth; affable; relatable 2. (of someone’s language ability) idiomatic; fluent
Chinese explanation: 古人认为大地有生气,人与大地接触就少生病。现主要指官员或名人接触老百姓,与人民群众打成一片。
Example sentence: 这样的作品就要接地气,否则你再嚷嚷,也没人理你。

60. 搬砖

Pronunciation: bānzhuān
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to move bricks”
English translation: to do a lot of repetitive work; to hold an unstimulating and tedious job
Note: Can have a humorous connotation.
Chinese explanation: 民间将打麻将俗称“搬砖(头儿)”,因麻将牌的形状像砖头。网络使用:1)“地下城与勇士”等游戏中,玩家把赚的钱转手买各种东西;2)理财时搬砖就是搬钱,一砖代表一万元;3)指把非产地货搬到产地,冒充产地货销售等。
Example sentence: 老刘昨晚又去搬砖了,今天哈欠连天啊!

61. 撩妹

Pronunciation: liáomèi, liāomèi or liàomèi
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to pull up a younger sister”
English translation: to pick up a girl; to hit on a girl
Chinese explanation: 撩拨妹子,意指男人主动追求挑逗年轻女性,获得女性好感的行为。与“泡妞”相近,但撩妹更显得积极。
Example sentence: 阿三闲得蛋疼,天天去撩妹。

62. 闷骚

Pronunciation: mēnsāo
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “stuffy coquettish” (or phonetic)
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to having a smouldering sexuality; sultry; restraining oneself in appearance but abounding in fervour inside.
Note: Etymology unknown. Possibly borrowed from English “man show”, via Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Chinese explanation: 英语“Man show”的音译,指外表沉闷,内心却充满疯狂,在特定的场合,往往有惊人之举。
Example sentence: 碰上这种闷骚变态,小混混也伤不起。

63. 耳朵怀孕了

Pronunciation: ěrduo huáiyùn le
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “[my] ears are pregnant”
English translation: (of sounds or voices) pleasing to the ears; orgasmic to listen to; causing an eargasm; eargasmic
Note: Has a humorous connotation.
Chinese explanation: 源于The Angel Gabriel Comes to Mary中的听说怀孕,借用来形容声音太好听了、太美好了!自己整个人都沦陷了。
Example sentence: 听小妹的声音耳朵怀孕了,再听你姐的声音耳朵流产了。

64. 懵逼

Pronunciation: měngbī, méngbī or mēngbī
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “stupid vagina”
English translation: dumbstruck; stunned; dumbfounded
Note: Vulgar. Its original form is 懵屄. See also other similar slang terms such as 牛逼 niúbī “freaking awesome”, 傻逼 shǎbī “stupid asshole”, 装逼 zhuāngbī “to pretend to be tough, capable or fierce”, 撕屄 sībī “to have a cat fight; to have a bitch fight; to have a fall out with”, etc.
Chinese explanation: 懵的意思是不知东西南北了、傻了,如懵头转向,逼即“屄”,粗俗表示严重程度。指被冲击或雷之后,目瞪口呆的样子。
Example sentence: 看了熊孩子的造句,父母一脸懵逼。

65. 成狗

Pronunciation: chénggǒu
Part of speech: adverb
Literal rendering: “(to the point of) becoming a dog”
English translation: No equivalent in English. The term is an adjectival complement that expresses an extremeness in degree.
Note: Has a humorous connotation.
Chinese explanation: 汉语中常用“狗”表示狼狈的状态,如累成狗、热成狗、冻成狗、饿成狗等,常用于自我调侃。用于他人要慎重。
Example sentence: 这鬼冷天气,人都冻成狗了。

66. 戏精

Pronunciation: xìjīng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “drama essence/person good at something”
English translation: drama queen; attention whore
Note: Originally referred to a talented performer.
Chinese explanation: 在某个方面极好叫精,戏精指某个人戏很多,很会给自己加戏、博眼球。褒义就是赞美很会演,贬义就是爱作秀。
Example sentence: 一家三口没一个正常,全是戏精投胎。

67. 日常

Pronunciation: rìcháng
Part of speech: noun (original meaning is an attributive adjective)
Literal rendering: “everyday; daily; day-to-day; ordinary”
English translation: daily life; everyday activities
Chinese explanation: 这是汉语的常用词,意思是平时的,经常的。游戏中 “日常”源自wow的日常任务,这种任务以蓝色问号标识,有别于一次性任务的黄色问号。
Example sentence: 刷经验的一个方法是做日常任务获得经验。

68. 暖男

Pronunciation: nuǎnnán
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “warm male”
English translation: sweet guy; considerate and caring boy
Chinese explanation: 是指像煦日阳光那样,能给人温暖感觉的男子。如细致体贴、顾家、做饭,能很好地理解和体恤别人的情感。
Example sentence: 当年的酷男也转型成暖男了,做厨子、擦地板、洗衣服,全程侍奉女神。

69. 有木有

Pronunciation: yǒumùyǒu
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “have-not-have, is there…?”
English translation: innit; damn right
Note: The phrase is a sentence-final emphatic assertive particle that comes from a netizen transformation of 有没有 (“have-not-have, is there …?”).
Chinese explanation: 南宁方言“有呒(mǔ)有”(有木有),就是“有没有”的意思,有点儿卖萌的味道。
Example sentence: 好久没上网了,你有木有想我呀?

70. 标题党

Pronunciation: biāotídǎng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “headline [political] party”
English translation: one who posts messages and articles under exaggerated or sensationalised titles, or such posts and articles; clickbaiter
Chinese explanation: 类似于英语clickbait,指以夸张的、曲解的、煽情的甚至无中生有的方式制作文章标题的人,也可指那些耸人听闻、题文不符的标题本身。
Example sentence: 当点开链接的时候,恭喜你!你不经意成就了标题党。

71. 正能量

Pronunciation: zhèngnéngliàng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “positive energy”
English translation: positive energy; positivity; something which encourages people to have faith in the face of adversities
Note: Related somewhat to 心灵鸡汤 xīnlíng jītāng, “inspirational nonsense; deeply philosophical but useless content; fortune cookie comments” and 鸡汤文 jītāngwén, “inspirational articles with little real content”. See also its antonym 负能量 fùnéngliàng, referring to negativity or pessimism.
Chinese explanation: 物理概念,引申义为一切给予人向上和希望、促使人不断追求、让生活变得圆满幸福的动力和感情。反之,为负能量。
Example sentence: 怀着宽容之心,和谐就有正能量。

72. 歪果仁

Pronunciation: wāiguǒrén
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “askew kernel”
English translation: foreigner
Note: From 外国人 wàiguórén “foreigner” with mispronounced tones, as is typical for Chinese-learning foreigners. Humorous.
Chinese explanation: 是“外国人”的谐音,是一种幽默搞笑的说法。类似的如:将“有才华”写成“油菜花”。
Example sentence: 我是外国人,不是歪果仁啊!

73. 比心

Pronunciation: bǐxīn
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to gesture [a] heart”
English translation: to form a hand heart (gesture in which a person forms a heart shape using their fingers)
Chinese explanation: 指用手比一个心型的手势(拇指和食指相交成爱心的形状),以表达爱及友好。
Example sentence: 回帖时别忘了在句尾加上“比心”,萌萌哒!

74. 气场

Pronunciation: qìchǎng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “qi field”
English translation: a person’s aura, charisma or personal magnetism
Chinese explanation: 指一个人的气质对周围的人所产生的影响,或者说一个人的精、气、神及精神状态对周围人的影响。
Example sentence: 评论出手清新简约,豪气冲天,气场很强啊!

75. 蛋疼

Pronunciation: dànténg
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “balls hurt”
English translation: so bored, astonished or frustrated that one’s “balls” hurt
Note: Humorous. Note also its antonym 乳酸 rǔsuān referring to one’s “boobs” hurting instead.
Chinese explanation: 蛋是“睾丸”的俗称,蛋痛即睾丸痛。用来表示对某事的无奈、纠结、激动,使自己浑身上不舒服。
Example sentence: 这补课,真是令男生蛋疼,女生乳酸啊!

76. 洪荒之力

Pronunciation: hónghuāngzhīlì
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “primordial powers”
English translation: all of one’s ability or power; the entirety of one’s potential; mystic powers
Note: Originated from a post-match interview with Chinese swimmer 傅园慧 Fù Yuánhuì.
Chinese explanation: “洪荒”语出《千字文》的“天地玄黃,宇宙洪荒”, 洪荒之力指开天辟地颠覆世界的力量。
Example sentence: 空有洪荒之力,抵御不了砸锅党的冲击。

77. 碧池脸

Pronunciation: bìchíliǎn
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “bitch face”
English translation: resting bitch face
Note: Vulgar, derogatory.
Chinese explanation: 英文bitch face的半音半意译文,指一个人在轻蔑、不爽、不在乎时做出的表情,以表达带点小脾气时的负情绪。
Example sentence: 小妹这张碧池脸,足够你喝一壶的!

78. 给力

Pronunciation: gěilì
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “to provide with force”.
English translation: awesome; cool; fantastic; powerful; exciting; fashionable; desirable
Note: Originally a localism from Northern China, meaning “energetic, forceful; exciting, interesting”. Allegedly popularized by a viral fandub video of an episode from the Japanese anime Gag Manga Biyori. In the episode “Saiyūki: The end of the journey”, one peculiar line was 这就是天竺麼?不给力啊老湿! (“This is India? This is not exciting at all, teacher.”), uttered by Sun Wukong after discovering that, in the supposedly sacred place of Tianzhu they had arrived at, there was only a small streamer with the two characters for “Tianzhu” written on it. Etymology from other Chinese dialects, for example Min Nan 激力 (kek-la̍t, “to exert oneself”) or Hainan Lingao dialect 給力 (“to provide with force, to beat”), may also be possible.
Chinese explanation: 中国北方的土话,表示给劲、带劲的意思。网络使用有很精彩、很棒、很带劲、牛、酷的含义。
Example sentence: 你的置顶很重要,很带劲,给力满满!

79. 绿茶婊

Pronunciation: lǜchábiǎo
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “green-tea bitch”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to a seemingly unaffected, innocent and charming girl who is, in actuality, a dissipated, superficial, and despicable person.
Chinese explanation: 指外貌清纯脱俗、长发飘飘、楚楚可怜、人畜无害、多情伤感,但背后善于心计、玩弄感情的女人。
Example sentence: 故意放鸽子,无论是白富美还是绿茶婊都乐于此道。

80. 网红

Pronunciation: wǎnghóng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “web [Internet] red”
English translation: Internet celebrity
Note: Short for 网络红人 wǎngluò hóngrén.
Chinese explanation: 网络红人的缩写,指在网络世界十分活跃,有意或无意间受到线上线下追捧的人。
Example sentence: 少女网红坦白,她获得了许多品牌商的赞助。

81. 舔屏

Pronunciation: tiǎnpíng
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to lick the screen”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to a figurative “licking” of the “screen” when a person sees something very interesting, moving, sweet, etc. on the computer screen, in the same way a dog licks to express affection
Chinese explanation: 指电脑或手机上看见喜欢或者是有爱的画面,情不自禁的想伸出舌头舔一舔屏幕的行为。
Example sentence: 如此靓丽的照片放到网上,不知多少人会舔屏。

82. 么么哒

Pronunciation: memedā
Part of speech: interjection
Literal rendering: (phonetic)
English translation: mwah (sound of kissing)
Chinese explanation: “摸摸大(头)”的谐音,表达对一个人的钟情与喜爱,意思是“亲”、“亲爱的”、“宝贝”等,可用momo、moumou或meme代替,当今也可用作日常交际用语。
Example sentence: 说别的没用!多保重!么么哒!

83. 卖萌

Pronunciation: màiméng
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to sell cuteness”
English translation: to act cute; to play innocent
Note: See also the adjective forms 萌 méng and 萌萌哒 méngméngda meaning very cute or adorable.
Chinese explanation: 意思是制作方、角色用刻意做出萌的样子来讨好观众,如刻意出现一些可爱的动作、言语等。
Example sentence: 这世上,没什么比冰山女人忽然卖萌更叫人如被雷劈的了。

84. 脑补

Pronunciation: nǎobǔ
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to use one’s brain to fill in the gaps”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Refers to the fantastical or farfetched completion of incomplete events using one’s imagination.
Note: Possibly from Japanese 脳内補正 (nōnai hosei) / 脳内補完 (nōnai hokan). See also 脑洞 nǎodòng, the figurative “hole” in one’s brain which is filled by fanciful imagination – thus, the greater one’s nǎodòng is, the more imaginative a person is or has to be.
Chinese explanation: 脑内补充的缩写,指在头脑中对某些情节进行脑内补充,对漫画中、小说中以及现实中自己希望而没有发生的情节在脑内幻想。
Example sentence: 搜噶!原来如此,我已经脑补出你的形象了。

85. 脑残

Pronunciation: nǎocán
Part of speech: adjective or noun
Literal rendering: “brain-disabled”
English translation: 1. (adj.) brain-dead; stupid 2. (n.) brain dysfunction; brain injury
Note: Derogatory in tone.
Chinese explanation: 脑袋残废的缩写,用于讽刺别人出现荒唐、糊涂、不合逻辑或情理的思维错误。
Example sentence: 脑残的一塌糊涂,这种人还真像是喝蒙牛长大的。

86. 腐国

Pronunciation: fǔguó
Part of speech: proper noun
Literal rendering: “rotten country”
English translation: Britain; the UK; England
Note: 腐 (fǔ, “rotten”) here was influenced by Japanese 腐 (fu, “relating to, or fond of male homosexuality”), as in 腐女子 (fujoshi, “female fan of boys’ love (yaoi)”). Thus this literally means “the nation of yaoi (male homosexuality)”. Such metaphor was based on the Chinese impression of the British, possibly due to the gay culture in Britain and/or the fact that British shows often feature a double male lead, with intimate friendship between the two.
Chinese explanation: 一说来自日语,用来暗指英国,因为英国影视作品中都盛产男男CP。
Example sentence: 最近去了趟腐国,满满的风景,开眼了。

87. 背锅

Pronunciation: bēiguō
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to carry the wok”
English translation: to take the blame (for someone else); to be a scapegoat
Note: Short for 背黑锅 bēi hēiguō.
Chinese explanation: “背黑锅”的缩写,指“为他人承受过错”的意思。
Example sentence: 一出事就让我背锅,是可忍,孰不可忍!

88. 老司机

Pronunciation: lǎosījī
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “old driver”
English translation: 1. old hand; veteran; insider
Note: The neologism usages are inspired by an Internet meme in Mainland China. See also 开车 kāichē literally “to drive a car” which can mean either to talk dirty or to develop a sexual plot (of film, TV drama, novel, etc.).
Chinese explanation: 指某领域内经验丰富,行止稳健的人。比如在谈恋爱,驾驭女性方面有丰富的经验的人。
Example sentence: 煽情她是老司机了,一会儿还会掉眼泪呢!

89. 公主病

Pronunciation: gōngzhǔbìng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “princess sickness”
English translation: the tendency of a young woman to act like a spoilt, narcissistic princess.
Note: See also 公举 gōngjǔ, a humorous rendering of 公主 gōngzhǔ, referring to the spoilt princess herself.
Chinese explanation: 指一些自信心过盛,要求获得公主般的待遇的女性。
Example sentence: 这样的女人,多半有严重的公主病,身娇肉贵。

90. 剩女

Pronunciation: shèngnǚ
Part of speech: n.
Literal rendering: “leftover woman”
English translation: old spinster; old unmarried woman
Note: This is a derogatory term. See also the male equivalent 剩男 shèngnán, which refers to an old unmarried man.
Chinese explanation: 指大龄未婚的女青年(一般超过27岁),与剩男相对。
Example sentence: 剩男剩女回家过年已成常态,希望父母们不要杞人忧天。

91. 查水表

Pronunciation: chá shuǐbiǎo
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to read the water meter”
English translation: (of the police) to ask to be let in under the pretext of checking the water meter; to barge into people’s homes on false pretences
Chinese explanation: 源于电视剧《重案六组》中警察为使人开门而谎称查水表,暗指有人在网络上发表了不合乎法律或不利社会稳定等消息而被查。
Example sentence: 不要在网上乱搞,小心被查水表!

92. 裸考

Pronunciation: luǒkǎo
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to take an exam naked”
English translation: 1. to take an exam without preparing for it 2. to take an exam without any bonus points
Note: There are many other things that can be done “naked” in Chinese slang such as 裸婚 luǒhūn “to get married when the pair still lacks a solid material foundation (i.e. no car, no house, no ceremony, etc.); to have a no-frills wedding or marriage” and 裸贷 luǒdài “loan whose collateral is the debtor’s naked or sexually explicit media of him or herself”.
Chinese explanation: 两种情况:1)什么加分都没有的,仅凭考试成绩报考高一级的学校。2)没经过任何准备就去进行考试。
Example sentence: 裸考不行!怎么也得穿条三角裤衩啊!

93. 颜值

Pronunciation: yánzhí
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “face score”
English translation: level of physical attractiveness; one’s facial appearance, rated as a score
Note: Orthographic borrowing from Japanese 顏 (kao, “face”) + Chinese 值 (zhí, “value”).
Chinese explanation: 颜,颜容、外貌;值,指数,分数。 表示人物颜容英俊或靓丽的一个分数,可以用来评价人物容貌。
Example sentence: 这么高的颜值,想不火都难。

94. 还有这种操作

Pronunciation: háiyǒu zhèzhǒng cāozuò
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “so as it turns out there is this operation”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Consider: There’s this trick too? / You can even do it like this? / How is this even possible?
Note: Originally gaming slang.
Chinese explanation: 意思是“居然还有这种套路”,表示对操作的方式方法震惊或疑问。
Example sentence: 空手套白狼赚大钱,还有这种操作?!

95. 追剧

Pronunciation: zhuījù
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “to chase [TV] drama”
English translation: 1. to follow a television series 2. to binge-watch episodes of a television series
Chinese explanation: 追着看电视剧的缩写,指那些每天在电视旁边算好时间掐着表守电视剧开播的行为。
Example sentence: 2天追剧30小时,眼睛从麦粒肿迅速转变急性霰粒肿。

96. 逆天

Pronunciation: nìtiān
Part of speech: verb or adjective
Literal rendering: “to go against the mandate of heaven”
English translation: 1. (v.) to be outstanding; to be extraordinary 2. (adj.) extraordinarily good or bad
Chinese explanation: 主要用于1) 谓违背天意或天道。2)表示超出正常范畴。3) WOW中,称神器或者超神器的超级装备为逆天,或者形容一些人物厉害的操作,或一些厉害的装备,都喜欢称为逆天。
Example sentence: 这台烂电脑你也能修好,逆天啊!

97. 也是醉了

Pronunciation: yě shì zuì le
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “(I’m) also intoxicated.”
English translation: No equivalent in English. Consider: I’m speechless. / It’s so ridiculous that I don’t know what to say any more. / Facepalm. / OMG.
Note: Sometimes humorous.
Chinese explanation: 主要用于:1) 假借醉了不清醒的状态,对无奈、郁闷、无语情绪的表达方式。 2)对人物或事物,无法理喻、无法交流和无力吐槽。 3)对人物或事物的轻蔑和鄙视,不屑于对其进行回应和反击。
Example sentence: 这种时候还不忘捞一把,也是醉了。

98. 重口味

Pronunciation: zhòngkǒuwèi
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “heavy taste”
English translation: having an unusual taste in something (especially a sexual matter); hardcore
Note: Its original meaning referred to having a liking for heavily flavoured food. This usage is still common.
Chinese explanation: 饮食方面喜爱咸、辣等味道较重的东西,称为重口味。网络指一般人无法接受或感到厌恶的事物,重口味的人却嗜好。
Example sentence: 他环视四周,看看有多少人能理解他重口味的幽默。

99. 巨婴

Pronunciation: jùyīng
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “massive baby”
English translation: big baby (adult or youth prone to immature behavior associated with babies, such as tantrums or pouting)
Note: Derogatory.
Chinese explanation: 《羊羊快乐的一年》中的角色,借指心理滞留在婴儿水平的成年人。
Example sentence: 22岁男生弃学回家成巨婴,吃饭还要奶奶喂哟!

100. 凉凉

Pronunciation: liángliáng
Part of speech: adjective
Literal rendering: “slightly cold”
English translation: be done for; be finished or destroyed; gone for the dogs; curtains (for someone)
Note: Can also be used singularly as 凉 liáng.
Chinese explanation: 电视剧《三生三世十里桃花》的片尾曲,现有失望、状态奇差、反应冷淡等含义。
Example sentence: 看到女友跟别人走了,心里凉凉的!

101. 教科书式

Pronunciation:
Part of speech: attributive adjective
Literal rendering: “textbook-style”
English translation: textbook-example
Chinese explanation: 指规范、标准、无懈可击,完美到可以写进教科书里作为示范的行为或动作。
Example sentence: 看了警察这段教科书式的执法,服了!

102. 亲

Pronunciation: qīn
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “beloved; dear”
English translation: dear sir or madam
Note: Often used by customer service representatives.
Chinese explanation: 出自淘宝卖家对买家的称呼,“亲”有“亲爱的朋友”的意思,但这个节省的“亲”显得更亲近、更热乎,现在网络购物,基本都是称呼亲。
Example sentence: 亲!我家货是厂家直销,质量绝对保证。

103. 高富帅

Pronunciation: gāofùshuài
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “tall-rich-handsome”
English translation: tall-rich-and-handsome guy; ideal guy; all-perfect man
Note: See also the female equivalent 白富美 báifùměi, “pale-rich-and-beautiful; ideal young female”.
Chinese explanation: 形容男人长得高、有钱、长得帅,又高又富又帅。形容女生的是“白富美”,又白又富又漂亮。
Example sentence: 象他这样的高富帅,怎么也得找个白富美吧!

104. 浪

Pronunciation: làng
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “wave”
English translation: to amuse oneself; to have fun
Chinese explanation: 华北一带说女人“浪”是骂人的话,浪就是“淫荡”的意思。东北人说女人“浪”指善交际、行为随意、举止轻佻,可以接受,但尺度不容易把握。现在网络语言中有“玩耍”、“娱乐”的意思。
Example sentence: 东北俗语:男要闯,女要浪!

105. 你懂的

Pronunciation: nǐ dǒngde
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “you understand”
English translation: if you know what I mean; you know
Note: It is also written as 你懂得.
Chinese explanation: “心照不宣”的最佳表达,用于不便说出来,但双方都明白的事情。
Example sentence: 我的祝福你懂的,情人节快乐!

106. 你开心就好

Pronunciation: nǐ kāixīn jiù hǎo
Part of speech: phrase
Literal rendering: “as long as you are happy”
English translation: It’s good to see that you are entertaining yourself.
Note: Has a sarcastic tone.
Chinese explanation: 含义比较多,多表示无奈,和“呵呵”这个词意思相近,表达的是一种无所谓的态度,或者是有点敷衍不想理对方。
Example sentence: 神马都是过眼烟云,事办不办不重要,你开心就好。

107. 母鸡

Pronunciation: mǔjī
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “hen”
English translation: to not know
Note: Humorous pun on Cantonese 唔知 m4 zi1.
Chinese explanation: 与广东话“唔知”谐音,“不知道”的意思。
Example sentence: 天知地知,你知母鸡!

108. 黑人问号脸

Pronunciation: hēirén wènhào liǎn
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “black-person question-mark face”
English translation: confused look
Note: From the “Confused Nick Young” meme, which shows Nick Young’s face with question marks surrounding his head.
Chinese explanation: 表情包中的“黑人问号脸”,用来表达对一些不可理喻、令人不解的事情的态度。
Example sentence: 啥意思啊?老发黑人问号脸。

109. 照骗

Pronunciation: zhàopiàn
Part of speech: noun
Literal rendering: “deceive-a-graph”
English translation: photo that does not truthfully reflect a person’s actual appearance
Note: From 照片 zhàopiàn, “photo”, by replacing 片 piàn with its Mandarin homophone 骗 piàn, “to deceive; to fool”.
Chinese explanation: “照片”的片与骗谐音,指的是图片上的人、景点、事物与现实之间存在明显差距,看了有上当受骗的感觉。
Example sentence: 这张一看就是PS的,明显是照骗!

110. 河蟹

Pronunciation: héxiè
Part of speech: verb
Literal rendering: “river crab”
English translation: to censor; to enforce censorship
Note: A humorous pun on 和谐 héxié “to harmonize”.
Chinese explanation: 生活在淡水中的螃蟹,有时用意与“和谐”谐音,有贬义。
Example sentence: 这个月本来应发我双薪的,结果被河蟹了!

111. 晕

Pronunciation: yūn
Part of speech: verb or interjection
Literal rendering: “to faint; to pass out”
English translation: to be overwhelmed (by something) and on the verge of passing out
Chinese explanation: 头发昏,有旋转的感觉。调侃对无奈、受不了的事的感觉。
Example sentence: 这点儿破事你竟搞了那么长时间的演讲,我晕啊!

6 Comments to "Top 111 Chinese Slang from 2008 to 2018"

  1. Yuda's Gravatar Yuda
    16/05/2019 - 11:28 pm | Permalink

    Hi Carl,
    I appreciate your blog posts very much as I have learnt a lot from your posts. I used to be an international student in Australia and the first time I visited your blog was back to 2011, I can still remember the first post I read was something about common mistakes that Chinese native speakers may have when speaking English. Its been a long time I haven’t been here but I really want to share my feelings. Your blog is more than just sharing knowledge to me, it is so inspiring that we should keep doing what we really love. I respect all of your efforts writing posts, sharing knowledge and in general running the blog. Thank you very much.

  2. JJ's Gravatar JJ
    08/09/2019 - 1:13 pm | Permalink

    I am highly interested in translating modern slang from Chinese to English, and often disappointed when the humour and wit don’t come through the translated texts on TV or in books. I took it as a challenge to translate the phrases above which have been deemed “no equivalent in English”. I’ve only gone through the first 25 or so, here are my thoughts, feedback welcome.
    9. 给跪了 I bow in your glory
    14. 城会玩 you townies are so funny
    22. 傲娇 cute bossy prude
    25.好人卡 friend zoned

  3. JJ's Gravatar JJ
    08/09/2019 - 1:15 pm | Permalink

    Correction: 9. 给跪了 I bow to your glory

  4. JJ's Gravatar JJ
    08/09/2019 - 2:43 pm | Permalink

    Alternative translations for the first 25 phrases (for completeness), feedback welcome:
    1. 锦鲤 lucky charm
    2. 杠精 argumentative prick
    3. 却认过眼神 took your hint
    4. 官宣 decree
    5. 英年早婚 taken off the market
    6. 注孤生 involuntarily single
    7. 真香 Are your words tasty?
    8. 沙雕 f*ckwit
    9. 给跪了I bow to your glory / we’re not worthy! (Wayne’s World)
    10. 大猪蹄子 grabby hands
    11. 做头发 making a house call
    12. 打扰了 pardon me, I got a phone call
    13. 土味情话 cheesy pickup lines (same as above)
    14. 城会玩 you townies are so funny
    15. 家里有矿 trust fund baby
    16. C位 prime position
    17. 佛系 Chill bro / Zen (same as above)
    18. 高能 explosive reveal
    19. 三观 core values
    20. 不明觉厉 I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m excited (Friends)
    21. 伤不起 Can’t afford another setback (same as above)
    22. 傲娇 cute bossy prude
    23. 元气满满 full of life / brimming with life
    24. here we go again
    25. 好人卡 friend zoned

  5. Yinuo Guo's Gravatar Yinuo Guo
    17/05/2020 - 9:36 am | Permalink

    I must say as a native Chinese I don’t actually know the origin of nearly a third of the slangs listed here but I still use them lol! Overall a very informative list! I’m glad to have come across your website:)

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