Top chinese slang and idioms 2025

Here are 12 popular Chinese slang terms, along with their Chinese characters, meanings, and example sentences in English:

1. 躺平 (tǎng píng)

   • Meaning: "Lie flat" – to give up on striving and accept a simple, low-pressure lifestyle.

   • Example: "After working so hard for years, he decided to 躺平 and enjoy a quieter life."

2. 内卷 (nèi juǎn)

   • Meaning: "Involution" – intense competition without real progress or benefits.

   • Example: "The education system is so 内卷 that students are studying 12 hours a day just to keep up."

3. 社恐 (shè kǒng)

   • Meaning: "Social anxiety" – someone who is shy or afraid of social interactions.

   • Example: "I’m such a 社恐, I avoid parties and gatherings whenever I can."

4. 凡尔赛 (fán ěr sài)

   • Meaning: "Humblebragging" – showing off in a subtle or indirect way.

   • Example: "She posted a photo of her new luxury bag with the caption ‘Just a small purchase’ – such 凡尔赛 behavior!"

5. 打工人 (dǎ gōng rén)

   • Meaning: "Working-class hero" – a term for ordinary office workers or laborers.

   • Example: "As a 打工人, I have to wake up early every day and commute to work."

6. 佛系 (fó xì)

   • Meaning: "Buddha-like" – being laid-back and indifferent to stress or competition.

   • Example: "He’s so 佛系 about his grades; he doesn’t care if he gets an A or a B."

7. 吃瓜群众 (chī guā qún zhòng)

   • Meaning: "Melon-eating crowd" – people who are bystanders or spectators to drama.

   • Example: "When the celebrity scandal broke, the 吃瓜群众 couldn’t stop discussing it online."

8. 油腻 (yóu nì)

   • Meaning: "Greasy" – used to describe someone who is overly slick, pretentious, or cringey.

   • Example: "His 油腻 pickup lines made everyone uncomfortable."

9. 硬核 (yìng hé)

   • Meaning: "Hardcore" – something extreme, intense, or hardcore.

   • Example: "That 硬核 workout routine left me sore for days!"

10. 种草 (zhòng cǎo)

    • Meaning: "Planting grass" – to recommend or hype up a product, making others want to buy it.

    • Example: "Her review of that skincare product totally 种草 me – I’m buying it now!"

11. 自闭 (zì bì)

    • Meaning: "Self-isolate" – to shut oneself off from social interactions, often due to stress or exhaustion.

    • Example: "After a long week at work, I just want to 自闭 and stay home."

12. 真香 (zhēn xiāng)

    • Meaning: "Really fragrant" – used when someone initially rejects something but later loves it.

    • Example: "He said he’d never try sushi, but after one bite, it was 真香!"