20 phrases
“Livestream.” Real-time video broadcast online, often for gaming, sales, or chatting.
“晚上八点开直播，记得来房间打卡！”
Going live at 8 p.m.—don’t forget to drop by!
Internet celebrity, influencer.
“那位网红带货能力爆棚，十分钟卖空库存。”
That influencer’s selling power is insane—she cleared out stock in ten minutes.
“Hot search.” Trending topic list on Weibo and other platforms.
“一觉醒来，他俩分手就上热搜第一了。”
I woke up and their breakup was already trending #1.
Literal “tap like”; the act of liking a post or video.
“这教程太有用，先点赞再收藏。”
This tutorial is so useful—like first, save later.
“Internet slang.” Blanket term for all the memes, acronyms, and buzzwords flying around online.
“长辈看我聊天记录，总说网络用语太多看不懂。”
Older relatives read my chats and complain there’s too much internet slang to un...
“Appease hunger by imagining pies”; surviving on empty promises.
“KPI 又翻倍？这不是画饼充饥吗？”
KPIs doubled again? Isn’t that just feeding us with fantasies?
“Pretty girl / unnie.” Compliment for an attractive, often elegant older sister figure.
“她今天礼服加红唇，PLJJ 本 JJ。”
With that gown and red lipstick, she’s the definition of a gorgeous big sis.
“Pretty boy.” Praise for a handsome guy with soft features.
“新来的主唱是妥妥的 PLGG，舞台灯一打直接心动。”
The new lead singer is such a pretty boy—the stage lights hit and my heart skipp...
“Genuine emotions.” Netizens use it to preface a heartfelt opinion amid the usual sarcasm.
“ZQSG，这首老歌真的陪我走过低谷。”
For real, this old song got me through my roughest times.
“Stealth feelings”; quietly catching feels for someone or something without showing it.
“追剧追到偷感，CP 还没官宣我先上头。”
I secretly caught feelings for this ship—the actors haven’t even confirmed it ye...
“Drawing a pie in the air”; making empty promises or selling a dream without substance.
“老板又在画饼，说年底 triple bonus。”
The boss is drawing pies again—promising triple bonuses at year-end.
“My defenses are broken.” Said when a joke, spoiler, or insult hits you right in the feels.
“他一句话就把我破防了，直接泪目。”
One line from him shattered my defenses—I teared up on the spot.
“Lying flat”; opting out of the rat race and refusing to over-strive.
“我决定躺平，存点钱然后去小城市生活。”
I’ve decided to lie flat—save some cash and move to a smaller city.
“Involution.” Describes cut-throat, pointless competition that forces everyone to work harder for th...
“公司加班文化太内卷了，连周末都要打卡。”
The company’s overtime culture is so cut-throat—now we even have to clock in on ...
“If you don’t get it, just ask.” Posted before a sincere (or sometimes trolling) question.
“BDJW，这配置跑 3A 大作够用吗？”
Honestly asking—will this rig handle AAA games?
“To be fair / speaking objectively.” Flags an honest, unbiased take.
“U1S1，他直播的效果比录像好太多。”
To be fair, he’s way better live than in recorded videos.
“I’m dying of laughter”; Chinese equivalent of “LMAO.”
“这段弹幕神回复 XSWL！”
That comment in the chat—LMAO!
“Although… but…”—used to deliver a back-handed compliment or soft contradiction.
“SRDS，这首歌洗脑到我一天循环十遍。”
Although I hate to admit it, I’ve looped this song ten times today.
“You’re right.” Often typed sarcastically to end an argument or lightly troll someone.
“NSDD，但我还是不改我的评论。”
You’re right, but I’m still not changing my comment.
Literally “eternal god”; online slang for “GOAT / the absolute best.” Used to praise a person, play,...
“他这波操作简直 YYDS”
That move he just pulled off is straight-up GOAT level!
