100 Popular Chinese Slang
Learning Chinese slang is a fun way to sound more like a native speaker and understand modern conversations. Whether you’re taking Chinese language classes or just chatting with friends, these terms will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends. In Chinese, the word for “slang” is 俚语 (lǐ yǔ).
Below is a list of 100 popular Chinese slang words, organized by category for easy learning.
Everyday & General Slang
- 牛逼 (niú bī) – Amazing, badass
- 666 (liù liù liù) – “Lit” / “Awesome”
- 扎心 (zhā xīn) – Heartbreaking
- 佛系 (fó xì) – Chill, indifferent
- 躺平 (tǎng píng) – Rejecting societal pressure
- 社死 (shè sǐ) – Socially embarrassed
- 吃瓜 (chī guā) – Spectating drama
- 凉凉 (liáng liáng) – “It’s over”
- 上头 (shàng tóu) – Addictive
- 裂开 (liè kāi) – Mentally breaking down
Internet & Meme Culture
- yyds (yǒng yuǎn de shén) – “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time)
- 绝绝子 (jué jué zi) – Super amazing
- 破防 (pò fáng) – Emotionally wrecked
- 蚌埠住了 (bèng bù zhù le) – Can’t hold laughter/tears
- 栓Q (shuān Q) – “Thank you” (mocking tone)
- 芭比Q (bā bǐ Q) – “We’re doomed”
- 寄 (jì) – “GG” (defeat)
- 典 (diǎn) – “Classic” (mocking cringe)
- 孝 (xiào) – “Bootlicker”
- 润 (rùn) – “Run away” (from problems)
Gen Z & Youth Slang
- 摆烂 (bǎi làn) – Giving up
- 卷 (juǎn) – Overworking competition
- 摸鱼 (mō yú) – Slacking off
- 凡尔赛 (fán ěr sài) – Humblebragging
- 真香 (zhēn xiāng) – “Actually good” (after denial)
- 小丑竟是我自己 (xiǎo chǒu jìng shì wǒ zì jǐ) – “The clown is me”
- 啊这 (ā zhè) – “Welp…” (awkward reaction)
- 太顶了 (tài dǐng le) – “Too intense”
- 寄了 (jì le) – “It’s over”
- 绷不住 (bēng bù zhù) – Can’t stop laughing
Money & Work Life
- 割韭菜 (gē jiǔ cài) – Scamming people
- 内卷 (nèi juǎn) – Rat race
- 996 (jiǔ jiǔ liù) – 9 AM–9 PM, 6 days/week
- 打工人 (dǎ gōng rén) – Office worker (self-mocking)
- 躺赚 (tǎng zhuàn) – Passive income
Dating & Relationships
- 舔狗 (tiǎn gǒu) – Simp
- 海王 (hǎi wáng) – Player
- 绿茶 (lǜ chá) – Fake innocent girl
- 备胎 (bèi tāi) – Backup lover
- CP (xī pǐ) – Shipping couples
Gaming & Streaming
- GG (jī jí) – “Good game” (sarcastic)
- 带飞 (dài fēi) – Carry the team
- 坑 (kēng) – Noob
- 氪金 (kè jīn) – Pay-to-win
- 开黑 (kāi hēi) – Play together
Roasts & Insults
- 菜鸡 (cài jī) – Noob (lit. “weak chicken”)
- 键盘侠 (jiàn pán xiá) – Keyboard warrior
- 杠精 (gàng jīng) – Argumentative troll
- 戏精 (xì jīng) – Drama queen
- 土味 (tǔ wèi) – Cringey
Gaming & Esports Slang
- Carry (kǎ ruì) – To lead a team to victory
- Ace (ēi sī) – Getting all kills in a round
- Noob (nǔ bó) – Newbie player (from English)
- GGWP (jī jī dǎ bù cuò) – “Good game, well played”
- AFK (lí xiàn) – Away from keyboard
Social Media & Texting
- 已凉 (yǐ liáng) – “It’s dead/over”
- 秒回 (miǎo huí) – Instant reply
- 已读不回 (yǐ dú bù huí) – Read but ignored
- 潜水 (qián shuǐ) – Lurking online
- 互粉 (hù fěn) – Follow each other
Food & Lifestyle
- 干饭 (gàn fàn) – “Eat aggressively”
- 吃货 (chī huò) – Foodie
- 奶茶续命 (nǎi chá xù mìng) – “Bubble tea keeps me alive”
- 碳水快乐 (tàn shuǐ kuài lè) – “Carb happiness”
- 躺吃 (tǎng chī) – “Eat while lying down”
Music & Pop Culture
- 上头神曲 (shàng tóu shén qǔ) – Addicting song
- 洗脑 (xǐ nǎo) – Earworm (stuck in your head)
- 出道 (chū dào) – Debut (e.g., idols)
- 翻车 (fān chē) – Fail embarrassingly
- 实锤 (shí chuí) – Confirmed evidence
Motivational & Hustle
- 冲鸭！ (chōng yā!) – “Let’s go!” (cute)
- 奥利给 (ào lì gěi) – “Let’s do this!” (meme)
- 干就完了 (gàn jiù wán le) – “Just do it”
- 逆袭 (nì xí) – Underdog success
- 躺赢 (tǎng yíng) – “Win without effort”
Trendy Loanwords & Foreign Influences
- 卡哇伊 (kǎ wā yī) – “Cute” (Japanese kawaii)
- 欧巴 (ōu bā) – “Oppa” (Korean term for K-pop idols)
- 撒盐 (sā yán) – “Salty” (gaming slang for jealousy)
- 哈韩 (hā hán) – “Koreaboo” (Korean culture fanatic)
- 社牛 (shè niú) – “Social butterfly”
Drama & Reactions
- 我裂开了 (wǒ liè kāi le) – “I’m breaking down”
- 心态崩了 (xīn tài bēng le) – “Lost my cool”
- 这也行？ (zhè yě xíng?) – “This works?!”
- 离谱他妈给离谱开门 (lí pǔ tā mā gěi lí pǔ kāi mén) – “Beyond ridiculous”
- 绷 (bēng) – “Trying not to laugh”
Shopping & Consumerism
- 剁手 (duò shǒu) – “Addicted to shopping”
- 血拼 (xuè pīn) – Shopping spree
- 种草 (zhòng cǎo) – “Want to buy” (from influencers)
- 拔草 (bá cǎo) – “Remove from wishlist”
- 买买买 (mǎi mǎi mǎi) – “Buy buy buy!”
Philosophy & Deep Thoughts
- 人间清醒 (rén jiān qīng xǐng) – “Woke”
- 格局小了 (gé jú xiǎo le) – “Think bigger”
- 人生如戏 (rén shēng rú xì) – “Life’s a drama”
- 佛了 (fó le) – “Whatever” (Buddha-like calm)
- 看开 (kàn kāi) – “Let it go”
Celebrations & Parties
- 嗨起来 (hēi qǐ lái) – “Let’s party!”
- 嗨皮 (hāi pí) – “Happy” (fun/excitement, Chinglish)
- 走起 (zǒu qǐ) – “Let’s go!”
- 爽到 (shuǎng dào) – “Feeling great”
- 燃爆了 (rán bào le) – “Hype!”
Whether you’re chatting online, watching dramas, or traveling in China, knowing these phrases will boost your fluency. Want to learn even more? Consider joining online Chinese classes that focus on conversational skills and modern usage!
