土豪

Think of 土豪 as China's version of 'new money' with extra flair. It describes someone who is loaded but loud — splashing cash on gold iPhones, bottle service, and designer knockoffs all at once. The term started as gentle mockery of the newly rich who hadn't quite caught up culturally, but quickly became a badge of humor. Friends call each other 土豪 when someone picks up the tab without blinking. It's equal parts roast and affection.

China's rapid economic boom created a wave of first-generation millionaires in the 2000s–2010s. Wealth arrived faster than cultural capital, producing a visible class of big spenders with flashy tastes. The Apple launch of a gold iPhone 5s in 2013 became a flashpoint — memes begged 土豪 strangers to 'be friends.' The word crystallized widespread mixed feelings about inequality, aspiration, and the quirks of sudden prosperity.

指暴发户式的有钱人，财大气粗、品味俗气，也用于自嘲或戏称朋友大方消费。