China is home to one of the world's largest and most dynamic online communities, with over 989 million internet users as of 2021. With the proliferation of Chinese social media platforms like WeChat, Xiaohongshu, and Weibo, Chinese netizens have developed a vibrant internet slang culture. These slangs, often derived from Mandarin Chinese but with unique twists and meanings, add humor, emotion, and identity to online interactions. In many ways, it's like its own dialect that should be added to a beginner's guide to learning Chinese.
Internet Usage in China
The country's internet landscape is dominated by a few major players, each offering unique services and features that cater to different aspects of daily life. Understanding these platforms is crucial to comprehending the context in which Chinese internet slang thrives.
WeChat (Weixin, 微信)
WeChat, known as Weixin in Chinese, is a super app that has become an indispensable part of daily life for many Chinese people. Launched by Tencent in 2011, WeChat started as a messaging app but has since evolved into a comprehensive platform offering a wide range of services. In addition to text and voice messaging, WeChat users can make payments, book taxis, order food, play games, and more, all within the app.
One of the critical features of WeChat is its Moments feature, similar to a Facebook timeline. Users can share photos, videos, and updates with their friends. WeChat also has a thriving ecosystem of mini-programs and lightweight apps that run within the WeChat app and provide various services, from shopping to banking.
Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book, 小红书)
Xiaohongshu, or Little Red Book, is a social e-commerce platform that combines social networking with e-commerce. It was launched in 2013 and has become a popular platform for lifestyle and fashion enthusiasts. Users on Xiaohongshu can share product reviews, travel experiences, fashion tips, and more, creating a community centered around lifestyle and consumerism.
One of Xiaohongshu's key features is its focus on user-generated content. Users can create and share posts featuring products they love, allowing brands to reach a highly engaged audience. Xiaohongshu also offers a range of shopping features, allowing users to purchase products directly from the app.
Weibo (微博)
Weibo, often called the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, offers a microblogging platform where users can post short updates, photos, and videos. Launched in 2009 by Sina Corporation, Weibo has become a popular platform for news, entertainment, and social networking in China.
Weibo's user base includes celebrities, influencers, and ordinary users, making it a vibrant platform for real-time updates and discussions. Weibo also offers advertising and marketing opportunities for brands looking to reach a large audience in China.
Douyin (抖音)
Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok, a short video platform that has taken the world by storm. Launched by ByteDance in 2016, Douyin allows users to create and share short videos set to music, making it a popular platform for entertainment and creativity.
Douyin's algorithm recommends videos to users based on their interests and viewing history, making it easy to discover new content. The platform has also become a popular marketing tool for brands looking to reach a young and engaged audience in China.
30+ Chinese Internet Slang You Must Know
Here is a comprehensive list of popular Chinese internet slang you should know in 2024. This list includes the slang in Chinese characters, pinyin, English translation, and an explanation of how to use it. It's a great addition to the list of 50 Chinese words for beginners.
Chinese | Pinyin | Literal English Translation | English Explanation |
666 | liù liù liù | Awesome | Originally from Chinese gamers, it's used to praise someone for doing something well. |
尬舞 | gà wǔ | Awkward dance | Refers to a dance that is awkward or cringeworthy. Can be used to describe someone's lack of skill in dancing. |
撩妹 | liáo mèi | Flirt with girls | Often used to describe a guy flirting with a girl, but can be used in a broader sense to mean flirting. |
脑瘫 | nǎo tān | Brain paralysis | Used to describe someone who is acting foolishly or irrationally. Similar to calling someone "stupid" or "idiotic." |
咸鱼 | xián yú | Salted fish | Refers to someone who is lazy or inactive, like a fish lying still in salt. |
摸鱼 | mō yú | Slack off | Similar to "slacking off" in English, it means not working or being lazy. |
作死 | zuò sǐ | Seeking death | Used to describe someone who is doing something very dangerous or reckless. |
干饭人 | gàn fàn rén | Rice eater | Refers to someone who is watching others do something without participating. Similar to a bystander. |
沙雕 | shā diāo | Sand sculpture | Used to describe something that is silly, ridiculous, or nonsensical. |
吃土 | chī tǔ | Eat dirt | Refers to being extremely poor or having no money. |
爆肝 | bào gān | Burst liver | Refers to someone who is working very hard or staying up late, often to play video games. |
辣眼睛 | là yǎn jīng | Spicy eyes | Refers to something that is visually offensive or hard to look at. |
996 | jiǔ jiǔ liù | Working hours | Refers to the working schedule from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, which is common in some Chinese companies. |
霸凌 | bà líng | Bully | Similar to "bully" in English, it refers to someone who is bullying others. |
狗头 | gǒu tóu | Dog head | Refers to a placeholder image or icon, often used in online forums. |
抱大腿 | bào dà tuǐ | Hug big thigh | Refers to someone who is trying to get close to or curry favor with someone powerful or influential. |
铁粉 | tiě fěn | Iron powder | Refers to a die-hard fan of someone or something. |
秒变 | miǎo biàn | Instant change | Refers to a sudden and drastic change in someone's behavior or appearance. |
二刺螈 | èr cì yuán | Second salamander | A humorous way to refer to someone who is the second best at something, similar to being a "second fiddle." |
996.ICU | jiǔ jiǔ liù ICU | Working hours and ICU | Refers to the criticism of the 996 working schedule and its impact on workers' health, suggesting that working 996 could lead to ending up in the intensive care unit (ICU). |
丧文化 | sàng wén huà | Funeral culture | Refers to a subculture characterized by pessimism, nihilism, and a lack of motivation, often used to describe young people who feel disillusioned with society. |
恶俗 | è sú | Vulgar | Refers to something that is tacky, tasteless, or lacking in refinement. |
社畜 | shè chù | Corporate livestock | Refers to office workers or employees who are seen as being treated like livestock by their employers, working long hours with little reward. |
抖音女孩 | dǒu yīn nǚ hái | Douyin girl | Refers to a girl who is trendy, fashionable, and often seen on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). |
知乎党 | zhī hū dǎng | Zhihu party | Refers to users of Zhihu, a popular question-and-answer website in China, often used to describe people who are intellectual or knowledgeable. |
糊的一笔 | hú de yī bǐ | Messy | Refers to something that is done or handled in a messy or sloppy way. |
洗脑 | xǐ nǎo | Brainwashing | Refers to the process of indoctrinating someone with a set of beliefs or ideas. |
装逼 | zhuāng bī | Pretentious | Refers to someone who is acting pretentiously or trying to show off. |
作妖 | zuò yāo | Causing trouble | Refers to someone who is causing trouble or mischief. |
撩汉 | liáo hàn | Flirt with guys | Similar |
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