死宅

A 'dead shut-in' — someone so thoroughly committed to staying home that the outside world might as well not exist. Borrowed from the Japanese 'otaku' tradition and turbocharged, a 死宅 doesn't just prefer indoor life; they've fully renounced sunlight in favor of anime, games, and instant noodles. The term is worn as a badge of honor by those who self-identify, and lobbed as gentle teasing by everyone else.

As China's urban young adults faced rising housing costs, brutal work competition, and social pressure in the 2010s, retreating into digital fandoms and home comforts became a coping mechanism. The spread of high-speed internet, streaming platforms, and food delivery apps made opting out of social life not just possible but surprisingly comfortable, giving 死宅 culture fertile ground to flourish.

指极度宅在家中、沉迷二次元或游戏、不爱社交的人，带有自嘲意味。