China's Gen Z has developed unique internet slang and expressions like their counterparts worldwide. These words and phrases are widely used on social media platforms like WeChat, Weibo, Douyin (China's version of TikTok), and Bilibili. Understanding these slang terms can help you better connect with young Chinese speakers and gain insight into contemporary youth culture.
Here are 20 of the most popular slang expressions used by Chinese Gen Z, complete with their pinyin and Chinese characters where applicable.
内卷 (nèi juǎn) – "Involution"
Originally an academic term, 内卷 (nèi juǎn) now refers to excessive competition that leads to burnout, especially in school or work environments. Example:
"大学生每天都在内卷，竞争太激烈了。"
(Dàxuéshēng měitiān dōu zài nèijuǎn, jìngzhēng tài jīliè le.)
"College students are constantly overworking due to competition—it's too intense."
躺平 (tǎng píng) – "Lying Flat"
This term describes young people rejecting the pressures of overworking and choosing a minimalist lifestyle instead. Example:
"工作压力太大了，我决定躺平。"
(Gōngzuò yālì tài dà le, wǒ juédìng tǎng píng.)
"The work pressure is too much, so I've decided to take it easy."
打工人 (dǎ gōng rén) – "Working Class Hero"
A self-deprecating term referring to people who work hard but don't feel financially rewarded. Example:
"作为打工人，每天只能努力搬砖。"
(Zuòwéi dǎgōngrén, měitiān zhǐnéng nǔlì bānzhuān.)
"As a worker, all I can do is keep grinding every day."
emo (emo) – "Feeling Emotional"
Borrowed from English, emo is used when someone feels down, moody, or sentimental. Example:
"今天心情不好，好emo啊。"
(Jīntiān xīnqíng bù hǎo, hǎo emo a.)
"I'm in a bad mood today, feeling so emo."
社恐 (shè kǒng) – "Social Anxiety"
Short for 社交恐惧症 (shèjiāo kǒngjù zhèng), meaning social anxiety disorder, this term is used humorously by introverts to describe discomfort in social situations. Example:
"去派对？ 不行，我社恐。"
(Qù pàiduì? Bùxíng, wǒ shèkǒng.)
"Go to a party? No way, I have social anxiety."
凡尔赛 (fán ěr sài) – "Versailles Literature"
A sarcastic way to describe humble bragging—pretending to be modest while showing off.
Example:
"‘每天被豪车接送真的好烦。’ 这也太凡尔赛了吧！"
(‘Měitiān bèi háochē jiēsòng zhēn de hǎo fán.’ Zhè yě tài Fán’ěrsài le ba!)
"'Getting picked up in a luxury car every day is so annoying.' This is peak humblebrag!"
破防 (pò fáng) – "Emotionally Broken"
Used when something deeply affects or moves someone emotionally. Example:
"看这个视频我直接破防了。"
(Kàn zhège shìpín wǒ zhíjiē pòfáng le.)
"Watching this video, I totally broke down emotionally."
拿捏 (ná niē) – "Nailed It"
This means having complete control over a situation, often used in a playful way. Example:
"今天的妆容，我拿捏住了！"
(Jīntiān de zhuāngróng, wǒ nániē zhù le!)
"Today's makeup look? I absolutely nailed it!"
绝绝子 (jué jué zǐ) – "Absolutely Amazing"
A trendy way of expressing excitement or appreciation for something excellent. Example:
"这家餐厅的甜点，绝绝子！"
(Zhè jiā cāntīng de tiándiǎn, juéjuézi!)
"The desserts at this restaurant? Absolutely amazing!"
爹味 (diē wèi) – "Dad Vibes"
Describes someone who acts overly authoritative or old-fashioned. Example:
"他说话太爹味了，感觉像我爸。"
(Tā shuōhuà tài diē wèi le, gǎnjué xiàng wǒ bà.)
"He talks with such a dad vibe—feels like he's my father."
工具人 (gōngjù rén) – "Tool Person"
Refers to someone who is only valued for their usefulness rather than who they are. Example:
"他只是个工具人，大家只找他帮忙，从不关心他。"
(Tā zhǐshì gè gōngjù rén, dàjiā zhǐ zhǎo tā bāngmáng, cóng bù guānxīn tā.)
"He's just a tool person—people only ask him for favors but never care about him."
柠檬精 (níngméng jīng) – "Lemon Spirit"
It means being jealous cutely or humorously, like saying, "I'm so jelly!" Example:
"你去巴黎旅游了？我变柠檬精了！"
(Nǐ qù Bālí lǚyóu le? Wǒ biàn níngméng jīng le!)
"You went to Paris? I’m so jealous!"
双厨狂喜 (shuāng chú kuáng xǐ) – "Double Fan Madness"
Describes extreme excitement when two favorite interests overlap. Example:
"我最喜欢的演员和歌手合作了，双厨狂喜！"
(Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de yǎnyuán hé gēshǒu hézuò le, shuāng chú kuáng xǐ!)
"My favorite actor and singer collaborated—I’m beyond excited!"
小作文 (xiǎo zuòwén) – "Long Rant"
Used when someone posts a long emotional complaint online. Example:
"每次他不开心，就在朋友圈发小作文。"
(Měi cì tā bù kāixīn, jiù zài péngyǒu quān fā xiǎo zuòwén.)
"Whenever he’s upset, he posts a long rant on social media."
搞钱 (gǎo qián) – "Chasing Money"
Refers to hustling or working hard to make money. Example:
"不想上班，但又不得不搞钱。"
(Bù xiǎng shàngbān, dàn yòu bùdébù gǎo qián.)
"I don't want to work but have no choice—I need to make money."
摆烂 (bǎi làn) – "Giving Up"
Similar to "letting things rot," meaning to stop trying. Example:
"考试太难了，我直接摆烂。"
(Kǎoshì tài nán le, wǒ zhíjiē bǎi làn.)
"The exam was too hard, so I just gave up."
YYDS (yǒngyuǎn de shén) – "GOAT"
Short for 永远的神 (yǒngyuǎn de shén), meaning "forever a god," used to praise someone or something legendary. Example:
"科比是篮球界的YYDS！"
(Kēbǐ shì lánqiú jiè de YYDS!)
"Kobe is the GOAT of basketball!"
丝滑 (sī huá) – "Smooth"
Describes something flawlessly executed, like a perfect transition or movement. Example:
"这个舞蹈动作太丝滑了！"
(Zhège wǔdǎo dòngzuò tài sīhuá le!)
"This dance move is so smooth!"
夺笋呐 (duó sǔn na) – "Too Shameless"
A playful way of saying someone is being ridiculous or shameless. Example:
"你这么夸自己，夺笋呐！"
(Nǐ zhème kuā zìjǐ, duó sǔn na!)
"You're bragging about yourself so much—it's too shameless!"
雷人 (léi rén) – "Shocking"
Describes something or someone that is extremely surprising or outrageous. Example:
"他的穿搭真的很雷人。"
(Tā de chuāndā zhēn de hěn léi rén.)
"His outfit is seriously shocking." Refers to someone who is only valued for their usefulness rather than who they are.
人间清醒 (rénjiān qīngxǐng) – "Worldly Sobriety"
Refers to someone who sees things clearly and is not easily influenced by trends or societal pressures. Example:
"她从不盲目跟风，简直是人间清醒。"
(Tā cóng bù mángmù gēnfēng, jiǎnzhí shì rénjiān qīngxǐng.)
"She never blindly follows trends; she’s truly clear-headed."
冤种 (yuān zhǒng) – "Fool for Love"
Describes someone who puts in excessive effort or sacrifices too much in a relationship or friendship. Example:
"他为了追她付出那么多，真的冤种啊。"
(Tā wèile zhuī tā fùchū nàme duō, zhēn de yuānzhǒng a.)
"He did so much for her just to get ignored—what a fool for love."
电子榨菜 (diànzǐ zhàcài) – "Digital Comfort Food"
Refers to simple digital entertainment (like short videos or memes) that provides instant but low-effort joy, much like how pickled vegetables (榨菜) are an easy comfort food. Example:
"刷短视频就像吃电子榨菜，让人停不下来。"
(Shuā duǎn shìpín jiù xiàng chī diànzǐ zhàcài, ràng rén tíng bù xiàlái.)
"Watching short videos is like eating digital comfort food—you just can't stop."
上头 (shàng tóu) – "Super Into Something"
Used when someone is obsessed or addicted to something, like a TV show, game, or trend. Example:
"这部剧太好看了，我已经上头了！"
(Zhè bù jù tài hǎokàn le, wǒ yǐjīng shàngtóu le!)
"This drama is so good, I’m totally hooked!"
社死 (shè sǐ) – "Social Death"
Describes an extremely embarrassing public moment that makes someone want to disappear. Example:
"当众摔倒真的社死了。"
(Dāngzhòng shuāidǎo zhēn de shèsǐ le.)
"Falling in front of everyone? That's total social death."
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