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Ever opened a Chinese app and seen people type YYDS or XSWL and thought, “Wait, even native speakers struggle to keep up with these”? Honestly, same — but that’s what makes it fun.
Chinese internet slang isn’t just language. It’s social currency. Knowing the right phrase at the right time makes you sound local, connected, and just the right amount of funny online.
The Chinese online world is fast, witty, and full of puns, numbers, and memes. Even locals sometimes have to stop and Google what’s trending this week. Once you start recognizing the patterns, you’ll feel like you’ve unlocked a new layer of Chinese culture.
In this guide, you’ll learn the most useful, funniest, and most popular Chinese internet slang, complete with meanings, tones, examples, and how to use them naturally.
What Is Chinese Internet Slang And Why It Evolves So Fast
Chinese internet slang (网络用语 wǎng luò yòng yǔ) means informal, creative expressions used online — in chats, memes, comments, and bullet-screen (弹幕 dàn mù) videos.
It evolves fast because memes go viral overnight, people type faster with pinyin or numbers, every platform has its own tone (WeChat, Douyin, Bilibili, Weibo, Xiaohongshu), and young users remix language to express pressure, irony, or humor.
Understanding slang means catching the emotion — the sarcasm, the playfulness, the subtle vibe behind the words.
Abbreviations And Acronyms
| Chinese Internet Slang | Chinese / Full Form | Meaning | Tone & Risk | Sample Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YYDS | 永远的神 (yǒng yuǎn de shén) | Eternal God, similar to saying the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in English | Strong praise, positive | 这部剧真是YYDS。 (This show is the GOAT.) |
| OOTD | 今日穿搭 (jīn rì chuān dā) | Borrowed from Outfit of the Day; used when sharing one’s daily look online | Neutral, trendy | 今天的OOTD是休闲风。 (Today’s outfit is a casual style.) |
| NSDD | 你说得对 (nǐ shuō de duì) | You’re right / Exactly | Neutral, sometimes sarcastic | NSDD，我完全同意。 (You’re right, totally agree.) |
| SRDS | 虽然但是 (suī rán dàn shì) | Although… but… | Soft disagreement | SRDS，这个不错但太贵。 (Although it’s nice, it’s pricey.) |
| XSWL | 笑死我了 (xiào sǐ wǒ le) | Laughing to death (LOL) | Playful, casual | 这个视频太搞笑，XSWL！ (This video is hilarious!) |
| U1S1 | 有一说一 (yǒu yī shuō yī) | To be honest | Honest, neutral | U1S1，她唱得不错。 (To be honest, she sings well.) |
| BDJW | 不懂就问 (bù dǒng jiù wèn) | If you don’t know, just ask | Harmless, curious | BDJW，这句话什么意思？ (What does this mean?) |
| AWSL | 啊我死了 (ā wǒ sǐ le) | I’m dead (too cute / emotional) | Dramatic, funny | 这只猫太萌了，AWSL。 (This cat is too cute, I’m dying!) |
| HHH | 哈哈哈 (hā hā hā) | Laughter / LOL | Friendly | 这个梗太好笑HHH。 (This meme is so funny lol.) |
Trendy Social Slang
These slang words come from social pressure, daily life, and workplace culture. They often reflect humor, irony, and how young people deal with modern stress.
• 内卷 (nèi juǎn / involution)
Endless competition without real progress, often in school or work.
Example: 职场太内卷了。 (zhí chǎng tài nèi juǎn le) – Workplace competition is crazy.
• 躺平 (tǎng píng / lying flat)
Rejecting hustle culture and refusing to overwork.
Example: 周末只想躺平。 (zhōu mò zhǐ xiǎng tǎng píng) – I just want to do nothing this weekend.
• 摸鱼 (mō yú / touching fish)
Pretending to work while actually relaxing or doing personal things.
Example: 今天摸鱼摸得挺爽。 (jīn tiān mō yú mō de tǐng shuǎng) – I had a great time slacking off today.
• 摆烂 (bǎi làn / giving up completely)
Doing the bare minimum or embracing failure with humor.
Example: 考试前我已经摆烂了。 (kǎo shì qián wǒ yǐ jīng bǎi làn le) – I gave up before the exam.
• 甩锅 (shuǎi guō / throw the pot)
Shifting blame to others, commonly used in workplaces.
Example: 别甩锅给我。 (bié shuǎi guō gěi wǒ) – Don’t blame me for that.
• 低头族 (dī tóu zú / phubbers)
People who are constantly looking down at their phones.
Example: 地铁里全是低头族。 (dì tiě lǐ quán shì dī tóu zú) – Everyone’s on their phone on the subway.
• 吃土 (chī tǔ / eating dirt)
Being broke after spending too much money.
Example: 双11后我又要吃土了。 (shuāng shí yī hòu wǒ yòu yào chī tǔ le) – I’m broke again after the big sale.
• 干饭人 (gàn fàn rén / meal warrior)
Literally rice-eating person. A playful self-mocking term for people who love eating and live for meals. Sometimes used sarcastically for those who focus only on eating, not working.
Example: 我是资深干饭人。 (wǒ shì zī shēn gàn fàn rén) – I’m a proud food lover.
• 打CALL (dǎ call / cheer or support)
Showing loud support for someone, especially idols or streamers.
Example: 为偶像打CALL！ (wèi ǒu xiàng dǎ call) – Cheering for my idol!
• 冲鸭 (chōng yā / let’s go!)
From “冲啊” (chōng ā), meaning “go for it,” said in a cute or energetic tone.
Example: 冲鸭！我们一定行！ (chōng yā, wǒ men yī dìng xíng) – Let’s go! We can do it!
• 佛系 (fó xì / chill)
Having a calm, laid-back attitude toward life.
Example: 我现在很佛系。 (wǒ xiàn zài hěn fó xì) – I’m super chill lately.
• 给力 (gěi lì / awesome, powerful)
Means something is cool, strong, or impressive.
Example: 这电影太给力了。 (zhè diàn yǐng tài gěi lì le) – This movie is awesome.
• 你行你上 (nǐ xíng nǐ shàng / if you can, do it)
A sarcastic challenge used when someone criticizes others but doesn’t act.
Example: 你行你上啊！ (nǐ xíng nǐ shàng a) – If you’re so good, do it yourself!
• 躺枪 (tǎng qiāng / get hit while lying down)
Being blamed or criticized for something you didn’t do.
Example: 我又躺枪了。 (wǒ yòu tǎng qiāng le) – I got blamed for nothing again.
• 尬聊 (gà liáo / awkward chat)
Forced or dry conversation that feels uncomfortable.
Example: 和他聊天太尬聊了。 (hé tā liáo tiān tài gà liáo le) – Talking to him was painfully awkward.
Read on: Why Dazi Became China’s Activity-Buddy Slang
Emotional And Lifestyle Expressions
These expressions capture emotion, attitude, and humor in daily online talk. They make your messages sound natural and full of personality.
• 牛逼 (niú bī / badass, impressive)
Used to praise someone for being amazing or super capable.
Example: 他太牛逼了。 (tā tài niú bī le) – He’s amazing.
• 哇塞 (wā sài / wow)
Expresses pure amazement or excitement.
Example: 哇塞，这地方太美了。 (wā sài, zhè dì fāng tài měi le) – Wow, this place is stunning.
• 比心 (bǐ xīn / finger heart)
Means showing love or support using the Korean-style finger heart gesture.
Example: 比心给你。 (bǐ xīn gěi nǐ) – Sending you love.
• 宅男宅女 (zhái nán / zhái nǚ / homebody)
Describes people who love staying at home watching shows or gaming. The word zhái originally means house, and it became slang for people who rarely go out, similar to introverts or homebodies.
Example: 我是标准宅女。 (wǒ shì biāo zhǔn zhái nǚ) – I’m a total homebody.
• 奇葩 (qí pā / oddball, weirdo)
Used for people who act strange but in an interesting or funny way. It literally means rare flower, implying someone unusual or unique — sometimes annoying, sometimes amusing.
Example: 他真是个奇葩。 (tā zhēn shì gè qí pā) – He’s such a character.
• 表情包 (biǎo qíng bāo / sticker pack)
Refers to meme-style emoji packs people use in chats to express emotions visually. It combines expression (表情) and package (包). In China, many people share these funny image stickers instead of plain emojis.
Example: 我有一堆表情包。 (wǒ yǒu yī duī biǎo qíng bāo) – I have tons of meme stickers.
• EMO (yī mó / emotional)
Represents feeling down, blue, or in low spirits. Originally from English emo, Chinese youth use it humorously to describe mild sadness or emotional burnout.
Example: 今天有点EMO。 (jīn tiān yǒu diǎn EMO) – Feeling kind of blue today.
• 懂的都懂 (dǒng de dōu dǒng / those who know, know)
Used when something is obvious and doesn’t need further explanation. It often implies an inside joke or subtle meaning — if you get it, you get it.
Example: 懂的都懂。 (dǒng de dōu dǒng) – Those who know, know.
• 不感冒 (bù gǎn mào / not into it)
Literally means not catching a cold, but slang-wise, it means not interested in something — like saying meh in English.
Example: 我对那部剧不感冒。 (wǒ duì nà bù jù bù gǎn mào) – I’m not into that show.
• 单身狗 (dān shēn gǒu / single dog)
A humorous self-deprecating term for single people. In Chinese culture, dog is sometimes used playfully to describe someone pitiful or unlucky, but not offensively. So single dog is just joking about being single.
Example: 我就是个单身狗。 (wǒ jiù shì gè dān shēn gǒu) – I’m single and fine with it.
• 吃瓜 (chī guā / eat melon)
Means watching gossip unfold without getting involved. Eating melon symbolizes sitting back and watching the drama, like eating popcorn while enjoying a show.
Example: 我只是吃瓜群众。 (wǒ zhǐ shì chī guā qún zhòng) – I’m just here for the gossip.
• 暴雷 (bào léi / explode with scandal)
Describes a scandal or big secret suddenly being exposed. Thunder (雷) represents a shocking revelation — when it explodes, something dramatic is revealed.
Example: 这家公司又暴雷了。 (zhè jiā gōng sī yòu bào léi le) – Another company scandal blew up.
• 割韭菜 (gē jiǔ cài / cut chives)
Refers to exploiting newcomers for profit, often in investment or marketing. The metaphor comes from how chives regrow quickly after being cut — like naive investors who keep getting harvested by bigger players.
Example: 投资小白常被割韭菜。 (tóu zī xiǎo bái cháng bèi gē jiǔ cài) – Beginners often get taken advantage of.
• 海龟 (hǎi guī / returnee)
Means someone who studied or worked abroad and came back to China. It’s a play on words — sea turtle (海龟) sounds like returned from overseas (海归).
Example: 他是海龟硕士。 (tā shì hǎi guī shuò shì) – He’s a returnee with a master’s degree.
• 柠檬精 (níng méng jīng / jealous person)
Literally lemon spirit. Because lemons are sour, this word describes people who feel jealous or sour when others are doing well.
Example: 看她的旅行照我酸了，柠檬精上线。 (kàn tā de lǚ xíng zhào wǒ suān le, níng méng jīng shàng xiàn) – I’m jealous of her vacation photos.
Popular Chinese Internet Slang Numbers
Numbers play a huge role in Chinese internet slang because many digits sound like real words in Mandarin. Chinese netizens love using homophones — numbers that sound like other words—to express emotions or secret meanings quickly when chatting online.
Here are some of the most common examples:
• 520 → wǒ ài nǐ (我爱你) → I love you.
The pronunciation of 520 sounds similar to wǒ ài nǐ, which means I love you. People often send 520 messages or gifts on May 20 (5/20)—a modern internet Valentine’s Day.
• 1314 → yī shēng yī shì (一生一世) → Forever.
This sounds like one life, one lifetime, symbolizing eternal love. Often paired with 520 to say 5201314 — Love you forever.
• 666 → liù liù liù (溜溜溜) → Awesome!
The number 6 sounds like the word liù, which also means smooth or cool. Saying 666 online praises someone for being skillful or impressive. It’s especially common in gaming and streaming comments.
• 233 / 2333 → laughter, from early emoji.
This came from the early Chinese forum 猫扑 (Mop) where 233 represented a laughing emoji. Now it simply means haha, similar to LOL.
• 88 → bā bā (拜拜) → Bye-bye.
The number 8 in Chinese sounds like bā, similar to the English bye. Typing 88 is the quickest way to say goodbye online.
• 555 → wū wū wū (呜呜呜) → Crying.
The number 5 sounds like wū, the sound of crying. When someone types 555, it means they’re sad or pretending to cry in a funny way.
• 748 → qì sǐ bà (气死爸) → You make me angry.
“Seven four eight” sounds like 气死爸, literally makes dad angry. It’s usually a joke among friends or fans to express playful frustration.
• 484 → shì bù shì (是不是) → Isn’t it?
The numbers sound similar to the phrase shì bù shì, meaning right? or isn’t it? It’s a quick, casual way to confirm something in text.
• 995 → jiǔ jiǔ wǔ → Parody of 996 work culture.
996 stands for China’s infamous overwork schedule — working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days a week. People joke about 995, meaning working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 5 days a week, as a slightly “healthier” but still exhausting version of modern corporate life.
Curious why some numbers are considered lucky or unlucky in Chinese culture? Check out Chinese Superstitions Explained Through Numbers to learn what 8, 4, and other digits really mean beyond internet slang.
Chinese Internet Slang Bad Words / Insults (Use With Care)
These slang terms are playful, sarcastic, or self-mocking — but they’re context-sensitive. Most aren’t truly “bad words,” yet tone matters a lot. Use them jokingly with friends, not in formal or serious settings.
• 屌丝 (diǎo sī / loser type)
Originally a self-deprecating term young men used to describe themselves as ordinary or unlucky. Over time, it became a humorous label for people who feel they can’t compete with the rich or good-looking.
Example: 我只是个屌丝。(wǒ zhǐ shì gè diǎo sī) – I’m just an ordinary guy.
• 绿茶婊 (lǜ chá biǎo / manipulative girl)
Literally green tea girl. Refers to someone who acts innocent and sweet but secretly manipulates others for personal gain. It’s now a popular meme across Chinese social media, but should be used carefully.
Example: 别被她骗了，她是个绿茶婊。(bié bèi tā piàn le, tā shì gè lǜ chá biǎo) – Don’t be fooled, she’s pretending to be innocent.
• 凡尔赛 (fán ěr sài / humble-bragging)
Comes from Versailles. Describes someone who shows off while pretending to be modest—like saying they’re “so tired of wearing designer clothes.”
Example: 她的朋友圈太凡尔赛了。(tā de péng yǒu quān tài fán ěr sài le) – Her social media posts are all humble-bragging.
• 白莲花 (bái lián huā / fake innocent girl)
Literally white lotus. Refers to someone who looks pure and kind but is hypocritical or manipulative underneath.
Example: 她装得像白莲花，其实很心机。(tā zhuāng de xiàng bái lián huā, qí shí hěn xīn jī) – She pretends to be innocent but is actually calculating.
• 杠精 (gàng jīng / contrarian)
A troll or someone who loves to argue for the sake of arguing online.
Example: 别理那个杠精。(bié lǐ nà gè gàng jīng) – Don’t bother arguing with that troll.
• PUA (pī yōu āi / emotional manipulation)
Comes from the English pickup artist but now refers to emotional manipulation or psychological control in relationships or workplaces.
Example: 他总是PUA别人，让人觉得自己不够好。 (tā zǒng shì PUA bié rén, ràng rén jué de zì jǐ bú gòu hǎo) – He keeps emotionally manipulating others to feel inferior.
• 菜鸡 (cài jī / noob, loser)
Literally vegetable chicken. A teasing insult for someone unskilled or weak, especially in gaming.
Example: 你太菜了，真是个菜鸡。 (nǐ tài cài le, zhēn shì gè cài jī) – You’re so bad at this, total noob.
• 二百五 (èr bǎi wǔ / fool, idiot)
An old slang term meaning someone silly or naive, used jokingly but can be mildly insulting.
Example: 他真是个二百五。 (tā zhēn shì gè èr bǎi wǔ) – He’s such a fool.
Platform And Cultural Flavor
Each Chinese platform develops its own slang culture because of user types, content formats, and community atmosphere. Understanding these helps explain why slang evolves differently online.
• Bilibili / Livestreams
Loved by anime, gaming, and tech fans. The real-time comment system (弹幕, dàn mù) makes users favor short, visual slang like 666, XSWL, and HHH to react instantly. Humor, memes, and speed dominate here.
• Weibo / Zhihu
These platforms attract thinkers, journalists, and professionals. Discussions often revolve around social pressure, overwork, and modern values. Words like 内卷 (nèi juǎn / over-competition), 摆烂 (bǎi làn / giving up), and PUA appear frequently, reflecting collective frustration and sarcasm.
• Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)
A lifestyle and beauty hub. Users love expressive, cute, and dramatic slang — 哇塞 (wā sài / wow), 凡尔赛 (fán ěr sài), 佛系 (fó xì), and 干饭人 (gān fàn rén / foodie) are common. The tone is upbeat, aesthetic, and community-driven.
Read on: Why Everyone Is Daka-ing on Xiaohongshu
• WeChat
Used for personal messaging, so slang here stays mild. Common abbreviations include NSDD, BDJW, and XSWL. The language focuses on friendliness and subtle humor rather than viral trends.
• Gaming And Fandom Communities
Energetic and emotional spaces where slang becomes part of identity. Fans use 打CALL (dǎ call / cheer loudly), YYDS, 冲鸭 (chōng yā / let’s go), and 比心 (bǐ xīn / finger heart) to show passion and unity.
• Regional And Cultural Influence
Slang innovation often starts in big cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu — places full of youth culture and global exposure. Smaller cities and older generations adopt these phrases later, which explains why slang spreads unevenly across China.
How To Use Slang Naturally
- Watch how natives use them on short videos.
- Start small — sprinkle one or two per chat.
- Avoid slang in formal emails or with elders.
- Keep a weekly slang list.
- Ask native friends about tone.
- Less is more — authentic beats excessive.
FAQs
What Does 520 Mean?
520 sounds like wǒ ài nǐ (我爱你) and is used to say I love you online or on May 20.
What Does 666 Mean In Chinese Slang?
666 (liù liù liù) means awesome or skilled. Common in gaming and Bilibili comments.
What Does HHH Mean In China?
HHH = 哈哈哈 (hā hā hā), the Chinese LOL.
What Does YYDS Stand For?
YYDS = 永远的神 (yǒng yuǎn de shén), meaning Eternal God, similar to saying the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in English.
Final Thoughts
Slang evolves faster than memes, but learning it gives you more than words — it gives you connection. It helps you laugh with locals, understand online jokes, and see how language reflects life.
Watch videos, follow Chinese meme pages, and keep an open mind.
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with OOTD — it’s cute, expressive, and just the right mix of Chinese and English flair. Maybe it’s because I’ve been scrolling through tons of outfit posts lately and can’t get enough of those creative styles.
What’s your favorite Chinese slang? Drop it in the comments—and share this article with your friends who’d love to sound a little more 牛逼 (niú bī)!
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