60 Hottest Chinese Internet Slang in the Year of 2023 and Explained
As the year of 2023 draws to an end, let’s take a look back at some of the most popular Internet slang terms that took off in the Chinese language this year. In this digital age of instant information, new words and phrases spread faster than ever before online.
Young people especially like to use these trending expressions to convey emotions or describe certain people/things in their lives, sometimes with a humorous or rebellious connotation. From “tangping” (躺平, lying flat) to “run” (润, run away), Chinese netizens spread many amusing and insightful buzzwords in 2023. Okay, let’s dive into this year’s roundup and review what catchy vocabulary went viral among Mandarin speakers on the Internet!
1. lǎo sī jī dài dài wǒ (老司机带带我)
“Seasoned driver, show me the ropes” – Used humorously to ask someone more experienced for guidance/tips.
2. lǎo gē wěn (老哥稳)
“Bro, (you’re so) steady” – Expresses admiration for someone’s calmness/composure.
3. là yǎn jīng (辣眼睛)
“Spicy eyes” – Describes something so astonishing/impressive it almost hurts your eyes.
4. ān pái de míng míng bái bái (安排得明明白白)
Implies plans/details are set out in an orderly, no-nonsense way.
5. ài le ài le (爱了爱了)
“Love it, just love it” – Shows enthusiastic approval of something.
6. shén xiān dǎ jià (神仙打架)
Said of a contest/conflict so high-level it exceeds mundane standards.
7. kě kě ài ài (可可爱爱)
“So lovely” – Cute/affectionate way of calling something extremely sweet/adorable.
8. qiú shēng yù (求生欲)
“Desire to survive” – Represents someone’s instinct to live and pursue self-interest.
9. duō me tòng de lǐng wù (多么痛的领悟)
“What a painful realization” – Expresses having come to an unpleasant or disappointing understanding about something.
10. zhēn xiāng (真香)
“So fragrant” – Indicates something is genuinely satisfying or desirable.
11. C wèi (C位)
“The C position” – Refers to the center spot/focus position in a group. Based on idol group lineup formats.
12. zài xiàn děng, tǐng jí de (在线等,挺急的)
“Waiting online, quite urgent” – Said when actively awaiting a response or information from someone, conveying impatience.
13. wǒ jiù jìng jìng de kàn nǐ zhuāng bī (我就静静地看你装逼)
“I’ll just quietly watch you pretend” – Dismissive response to someone showing off excessively.
14. 有内味了（Yǒunèiwèi le）
“to have that flavor now.” – While its interpretation depends on the context, this phrase is often used when the speaker wants to express that the person or thing being spoken of strongly represents a certain style. Sometimes another word is used to define “that flavor” to make the term more easily understood.
15. kuā kuā qún (夸夸群)
“Compliment group” – An online group where people exchange positive affirmations and praise.
16. yìng hé (硬核)
“Hardcore” – Describes someone or something that is extremely capable, tough, intense, etc.
17. yī kàn jiù huì, yī zuò jiù fèi (一看就会,一做就废)
“Looks easy but falls apart when actually doing it” – Said of things that seem simple in theory but prove very difficult in practice.
18. tián mì bào jī (甜蜜暴击)
“Sweetness shock” – Refers to a sudden feeling of strong affection or attraction toward someone.
19. yǔ nǚ wú guā (雨女无瓜)
“none of your business” – This homophone-based meme originated from TV show “Balala the Fairies,” in which the actor of a certain prince speaks Mandarin with a hilarious accent and mispronounced “与你无关” as “雨女无瓜.” Chinese netizens created funny pictures to go with the meme, which boosts its popularity.
20. ào lì gěi (奥力给)
“awesome, cool” – First used by a vlogger on short video platform kuaishou.com, this term often appears at the end of a sentence as an exclamation to praise other people or cheer them or oneself up.
21. nán rén de zuǐ, piàn rén de guǐ (男人的嘴,骗人的鬼)
“A man’s mouth deceives like a ghost” – Suggests that men often make insincere promises or tell lies.
22. jīn tiān yě shì nǔ lì yíng yè de yī tiān (今天也是努力营业的一天)
“Today is also a day to keep working hard at (my) business” – Usually said somewhat jokingly/sarcastically when having to get through a tiring day.
23. zhè bú shì kāi wǎng yòu ér yuán de chē (这不是开往幼儿园的车)
“This bus isn’t headed toward the kindergarten” – Response indicating something is unsuitable for children/immature people.
24. shì gè hěn rén (是个狠人)
“Is a tough/ruthless person” – Said of someone who is very strong, aggressive, and willing to go to extremes.
25. lìng rén chī xī de cāo zuò (令人窒息的操作)
“Suffocating action/behavior” – Refers to something someone does that is so shocking or offensive it leaves you gasping for air (metaphorically).
26. nǐ pǐn, nǐ xì pǐn (你品,你细品)
Savor and appreciate carefully” – Prompts one to think carefully and discover deeper meaning in something that may not be apparent at first.
27. gàn jiù wán le (干就完了)
“Just do it and it’s done” – Expresses a reckless, no-nonsense attitude toward quickly completing some task.
28. mǎn mǎn de qiú shēng yù (满满的求生欲)
“Filled with the desire to survive” – Describes someone who urgently strives for self-preservation, usually by any means necessary.
29. shàng tóu (上头)
“Gone to one’s head” – Indicates something has made someone conceited, irrationally obsessed, or mentally unbalanced.
30. bù, nǐ bù xiǎng (不,你不想)
No, you don’t want to” – Firm response used to halt someone from pursuing an unwise course of action.
40. guài wǒ gēi (怪我咯)
“Blame me then” – Sarcastic phrase said when being unjustly accused, passing the accusation back to the critic.
41. shén xiān cāo zuò (神仙操作)
“Godly maneuver” – Refers to an extremely skilled or ingenious action/solution.
42. nǐ shì shén me lā jī (你是什么垃圾)
“What kind of trash are you” – A severe insult, calling someone worthless.
43. wǔ kuài qián yǐ shàng de huó dòng bié jiào wǒ (五块钱以上的活动别叫我)
“Don’t invite me to any activity costing more than 5 yuan” – Indicates being very stingy and unwilling to spend money.
44. chòu mèi mei/chòu dì dì (臭妹妹/臭弟弟)
“Smelly little sister/brother” – A joking insult used when teasing a friend.
45. níng méng jīng (柠檬精)
“Lemon essence” – Refers to a spoiled, bitter, and sharp-tongued person.
46. hǎo hāi yo (好嗨哟)
“Wow, (you’re) really high (on it)” – Expresses enthusiastic approval or amusement at something entertaining/exciting.
47. cǎi hóng pì (彩虹屁)
“Rainbow fart” – Excessively flattering or exaggerated praise that is insincere.
48. féi zhái kuài lè shuǐ (肥宅快乐水)
“Happy water for fat otakus” – Refers to soda/soft drinks, implying an unhealthy hardcore anime fan obsession.
49. chī nǐ jiā dà mǐ le? (吃你家大米了?)
“Eaten rice from your family?” – Accuses someone of being ignorant or lacking understanding of a situation.
50. wǒ tài nán le (我太难了)
“I’m too challenged” – Expresses feeling extremely frustrated, wronged or desperate about one’s plight.
51. dǎ rǎo le (打扰了)
“Excuse the interruption” – Polite phrase said when intruding/interjecting unexpectedly.
52. gà liáo (尬聊) – “Awkward chat”
Conversation that proceeds poorly with uncomfortable pauses/moments.
53. dài jié zòu (带节奏)
“Lead the rhythm” – To guide a discussion’s pace and direction; to set an agenda.
54. kàn xì (看戏) – “Watching a show”
Suggests observing something dramatic/entertaining unfolding, especially messy conflicts.
55. wǒ huái yí nǐ zài kāi chē, dàn wǒ méi yǒu zhèng jù (我怀疑你在开车,但我没有证据)
“I suspect you’re driving, but I don’t have proof” – Humorous way to accuse someone of doing something without evidence.
56. gěi nǐ ge yǎn shén, zì jǐ tǐ huá (给你个眼神,自己体会)
“Giving you a look, interpret it yourself” – Said when conveying a subtle message nonverbally through facial expressions.
57. nǐ zhè shì zài wán huǒ (你这是在玩火)
“You’re playing with fire here” – Warns that someone is engaging in reckless, dangerous behavior.
58. xiào róng jiàn jiàn níng gù (笑容渐渐凝固)
“The smile is stiffening/freezing” – Said when it’s becoming more and more difficult for someone to maintain a smiling facade.
59. yǒu qián rén de kuài lè, nǐ xiǎng xiàng bù dào (有钱人的快乐,你想象不到)
“The joy of rich people is beyond your imagination” – Implies ordinary people can’t comprehend the pleasure immense wealth brings.
60. nǐ dǒng de (你懂的)
“You know…” – Cryptic phrase hinting at inside knowledge the listener shares or is expected to understand.
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