2010–2014 Chinese Internet Memes

75 memes from 2010–2014

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Homebody Girl / Otaku Girl

A 'zhái nǚ' is a young woman who has wholeheartedly embraced staying home as a lifestyle. Emerging around 2010, she'd rather binge dramas, chase her favorite idol's latest content, or level up in a game than brave the outside world for small talk and overpriced coffee. Unlike the Western 'homebody,' she often wears the label as a proud badge—part self-deprecating humor, part genuine preference—signaling membership in a cozy, screen-lit subculture that values fandom and comfort over social performance.

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★☆☆

Homebody Guy / Otaku

A '宅男' is a guy who's perfectly happy never leaving his apartment — think anime marathons, gaming sessions, instant noodles at 2am, and a deep suspicion that sunlight is overrated. Emerging around 2010, borrowed from Japanese 'otaku' culture but localized with Chinese flair, it started as mild mockery but was quickly reclaimed as a badge of honor by the very men it described. Part lifestyle choice, part social commentary on urban alienation, it's the internet's favorite lovable hermit archetype.

2010–2014 classic fandom gaming

★★★★☆

Hardcore Homebody / Ultimate Shut-in

A 'dead shut-in' — someone so thoroughly committed to staying home that the outside world might as well not exist. Emerging around 2010, 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.

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★☆☆

Imagine thousands of college graduates crammed into tiny basement rooms on the outskirts of Beijing, working dead-end jobs that barely pay rent — that's the Ant Tribe. Emerging around 2010, like ants, they're industrious, numerous, and living on top of each other. The term captures the bittersweet reality of educated young people who chased the diploma dream only to find the job market had other plans. Equal parts self-deprecating badge of honor and social critique.

2010–2014 classic consumerism education

★★★☆☆

Awesome / Empowering

Dialect slang meaning something is powerful, impressive, or satisfying — it 'gives force.' Went nationally viral when People's Daily (the Communist Party's official newspaper) used it as a front-page headline in 2010: 'Not "给力", China and Germany!' The sight of edgy internet slang in China's most official newspaper broke the internet. It marked the moment Chinese internet language officially entered mainstream discourse.

2010–2014 classic lifestyle

★★★★☆

我爸是李刚

My Dad Is Li Gang

wǒ bà shì lǐ gāng

In October 2010, a drunk driver hit two students on a college campus. When stopped, he shouted 'My dad is Li Gang!' — referring to his father, a senior police official. The incident went massively viral and the phrase became the defining expression of '官二代' (children of officials) entitlement. It captured perfectly the sense that having a powerful parent made you untouchable in China.

2010–2014 classic consumerism politics

★★★★☆

What the Heck / Holy Cow

A minced oath — a polite substitute for stronger expletives. Emerging around 2010, when something is shocking, outrageous, or astonishing, "我勒个去" provides the emotional intensity of profanity without the actual profanity. The phrase means roughly nothing on its own — its power is in replacing what it's standing in for. A classic example of Chinese internet's creative profanity avoidance.

2010–2014 fading humor

★★★☆☆

WTF (Euphemism)

A phonetic substitute for "你妈的" (your mother's — a Chinese profanity equivalent to 'WTF' or 'motherfucker'). Emerging around 2010, using "尼玛" (literally 'Buddhist nun horse') provides the emotional punch of the original without the characters that get filtered. It's said identically to the profanity but written differently, allowing content to pass moderation while communicating exactly what the speaker means.

2010–2014 classic humor

★★★★☆

Ball-ache / Pointlessly Annoying

Literally a crude male anatomical complaint, used gender-neutrally to describe anything pointlessly frustrating, tediously boring, or annoyingly painful. Emerging around 2010, distinct from real physical pain — "蛋疼" describes the specific agony of doing something utterly pointless, or waiting for something needlessly slow. Extended to describe situations (this meeting is "蛋疼") and people (he's so "蛋疼").

2010–2014 classic self-deprecation

★★★★☆

Acting Cute / Performing Adorableness

卖 means to sell or perform; 萌 means cute (itself borrowed from Japanese moe). Emerging around 2010, "卖萌" means to deliberately act cute — putting on an adorable performance to win affection, get your way, or defuse an awkward situation. It can be a baby-talk voice, a cutesy pose, or playful childishness deployed strategically. Both people and brands "卖萌" — even serious institutions sometimes "卖萌" on social media to seem approachable.

2010–2014 still popular internet-culture humor

★★★★☆

Can't Afford to Be Hurt / Too Fragile

Literally 'can't afford to be hurt' — used to express exaggerated fragility or inability to cope with something. Emerging around 2011, when work is too hard: "伤不起". When your crush doesn't reply: "伤不起". The phrase implies you've been hit so many times that you simply can't take another blow — used with theatrical self-pity that everyone understands is performance rather than genuine distress.

2010–2014 classic burnout workplace

★★★★☆

Ripping Off Your Dad / Total Scam

Literally 'digging a pit for your dad' — meaning you've been massively scammed, disappointed, or things are far worse than expected. Emerging around 2011, the dad reference adds dramatic scale: whatever happened is so bad it would ruin your father. Used for products that don't match descriptions, events that go wrong, or any situation where you feel deceived. The family betrayal imagery makes the disappointment feel properly epic.

2010–2014 classic workplace

★★★★☆

Moral Integrity / Principles

Originally a classical Chinese term for moral integrity and uprightness. Emerging around 2011, repurposed by internet culture as something perpetually lost, sold, or nonexistent — '你的节操呢?' (where are your principles?) became a rhetorical question asked when someone does something shameless. The ironic use acknowledges that everyone loses their "节操" sometimes, making it a self-deprecating concept as much as a critique.

2010–2014 classic self-deprecation

★★★★☆

Fleeting Clouds / Meaningless

From a Li Bai poem ('floating clouds, a wanderer's heart'), repurposed by internet culture to dismiss anything as transient and meaningless. Emerging around 2011, '都是浮云' (all is fleeting clouds) became an existential shrug — a beautiful way to say 'none of this matters.' Used when wealth doesn't buy happiness, when achievements feel hollow, or when life's priorities feel misaligned.

2010–2014 classic self-deprecation

★★★★☆

Hold It Together / Keep It Composed

From a Taiwanese variety show where a flamboyantly dressed performer said 'I can hold it' while maintaining perfect composure amid chaos. Emerging around 2011, in mainland China it spread to mean staying composed under pressure, not losing it, keeping things together. '你要hold住' (you need to hold it together) became standard encouragement when someone is about to crack.

2010–2014 classic workplace

★★★★☆

Weaving a Scarf / Posting on Weibo

A charming phonetic pun: "微博" (Weibo, Chinese Twitter) sounds like "围脖" (wéibó, scarf). Emerging around 2011, so '织围脖' (knitting a scarf) = 'posting on Weibo.' Used in Weibo's early days when the platform had a more intimate, creative community feel. The handicraft metaphor implied that posting was a craft — carefully made, shared warmly.

2010–2014 fading internet-culture politics

★★★☆☆

Tsundere / Prickly-Sweet

Emerging around 2011, the "傲娇" person says 'it's not like I did this for you!' while clearly having done it for you. Their mouth refuses what their heart wants (口嫌体正直 — mouth rejects, body is honest). It's a beloved character archetype in anime and a real way to describe people whose prickliness masks affection.

2010–2014 still popular identity romance

★★★★☆

Black-Bellied / Sweet Face, Scheming Mind

Emerging around 2011, it describes someone whose gentle, harmless, often smiling exterior conceals a calculating, scheming, sometimes mischievous inner nature. A "腹黑" character is the sweet-faced one who is secretly always three steps ahead, manipulating situations with a pleasant smile. It's not pure villainy — "腹黑" implies cleverness and wit, and is often an attractive trait in fictional characters.

2010–2014 still popular identity humor

★★★★☆

Du Fu is Busy / Poet Overquoted Meme

Dù Fǔ hěn máng

A 2011 meme born when Weibo users constantly quoted Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu's verses to comment on current events, symbolizing how censored discussions get routed through classical literature. A clever workaround to discuss politics indirectly.

2010–2014 classic politics humor

★★★★☆

3D / The Real World

Borrowed from otaku vocabulary, '三次元' (three-dimensional) is how anime and manga fans refer to the boring, messy, unromantic real world — as opposed to '二次元' (2D), the idealized realm of fictional characters. Emerging around 2012, it's used with fond exasperation, like sighing 'ugh, reality again.' When a fan says their 3D life is a disaster but their 2D waifus are perfect, they're living in "三次元" but their heart belongs elsewhere.

2010–2014 classic fandom

★★★☆☆

Emerging around 2012, by 2015 it had fully entered mainstream Chinese net-speak, used affectionately for petite or baby-faced girls in real life too. Think of it as the fandom world's shorthand for 'adorable small girl energy,' detached from its darker Western literary connotations.

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★☆☆

Shota / Pretty Boy

A 'zhèngtài' is a young male — real or fictional — who is slender, doe-eyed, soft-featured, and radiates a gentle, almost delicate charm. Emerging around 2012, think the opposite of a buff action hero: this is the pretty, boyish type that makes hearts flutter precisely because he looks like he'd lose an arm-wrestle. The term crossed over from Japanese otaku culture (the Japanese 'shota') and became a standard compliment and fan category in Chinese anime and idol communities alike.

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★☆☆

Dominant Elder Sister / Queenly Big Sis

Imagine a woman who walks into a room and everyone subtly straightens up — that's the "御姐". Emerging around 2012, she's older, poised, effortlessly commanding, and radiates a cool, almost regal authority without trying. Borrowed from Japanese otaku culture (御姉様, onee-sama), Chinese netizens adopted the term to describe a specific female archetype: mature, confident, possibly slightly intimidating, and deeply attractive precisely because she doesn't need your approval. Think less girl-next-door, more CEO who could destroy you but chooses not to.

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★☆☆

元芳你怎么看

What Do You Think, Yuan Fang?

Yuán Fāng nǐ zěnme kàn

Spawned from the hit Chinese detective drama 'Detective Di Renjie,' where the wise magistrate Di Renjie habitually turns to his sidekick Yuan Fang asking 'What do you think?' — even when the answer is obvious. Emerging around 2012, chinese netizens seized on this as the perfect template for mock-serious consultations, poking fun at bureaucratic posturing, hollow deliberation, and the very human habit of asking for opinions you've already made up your mind about.

2010–2014 classic politics workplace

★★★☆☆

Underdog Comeback / Epic Comeback

Imagine the nerdy kid who gets laughed at, trains in secret, and returns to absolutely destroy everyone who doubted him — that's 逆袭. Emerging around 2012, literally meaning 'reverse attack,' it captures the deeply satisfying fantasy of the underdog who claws their way from the bottom to the top. Whether it's a broke student becoming a CEO, a plain-looking girl winning the hottest guy, or a nobody going viral overnight, "逆袭" is China's favorite rags-to-riches power fantasy, equal parts inspiration and wish fulfillment.

2010–2014 classic identity romance

★★★★☆

loser / underdog

Imagine calling yourself a broke, unglamorous nobody before anyone else can — that's the spirit of "屌丝". Emerging around 2012, originally a crude slur from gaming forums around 2011, it was gleefully reclaimed by millions of young Chinese men who felt locked out of wealth, status, and romance. By 2015 it had softened into a self-deprecating badge of honor: 'I'm nobody, I have nothing, and I'm weirdly proud of it.' Think of it as China's answer to 'basic loser' — except worn with ironic swagger.

2010–2014 classic consumerism identity

★★★★★

The More You Think About It, The More Terrifying It Gets

xì sī jí kǒng

A four-character idiom meaning something seemed totally fine at first glance — until you actually stopped to think about it, and now you can't sleep. Emerging around 2012, it's the internet's way of saying 'wait, hold on...' before spiraling into paranoia. Used when a casual observation suddenly reveals a deeply unsettling implication, whether about surveillance, social norms, a plot hole, or just how weird modern life really is.

2010–2014 classic politics technology

★★★★☆

Sounds impressive, must be legit

bù míng jué lì

A self-deprecating admission that you have absolutely no idea what someone just said, but you're thoroughly impressed anyway. Emerging around 2012, it's the internet's way of saying 'I don't understand a word of this, yet I'm inexplicably in awe.' Perfect for reacting to a genius friend's tech monologue, a physicist's tweet, or any situation where nodding vigorously feels safer than asking a follow-up question.

2010–2014 classic fandom technology

★★★★☆

dān shēn gǒu

A self-mocking term single people use to describe themselves — like a stray dog, alone and slightly pitiful. Emerging around 2012, particularly popular on Valentine's Day, Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day), and other romantic holidays when being single becomes maximally visible. The dog metaphor is affectionate self-deprecation rather than genuine distress — single people reclaimed it as a badge of humor.

2010–2014 classic romance

★★★★☆

Double Eleven / Singles Day Shopping Festival

shuāng shí yī

November 11th (11/11) started as 'Singles Day' — four ones representing four single sticks. Emerging around 2012, alibaba transformed it into the world's largest shopping event, dwarfing Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. In 2023 alone it generated hundreds of billions of yuan in sales. The holiday created entire vocabulary ecosystems: "剁手党" (chop-hand party, compulsive buyers), "尾款人" (final payment people, those who bid but can't pay).

2010–2014 still popular consumerism

★★★★☆

Muah / Kiss Kiss

An onomatopoeia for kissing sounds — the Chinese internet equivalent of 'muah' or 'kiss kiss.' Used at the end of messages to express affection, cuteness, or playful goodbye. Emerging around 2012, dominated Chinese social media in the early 2010s and became synonymous with the saccharine, overly cute communication style of that era. Now mostly used ironically or by older generations.

2010–2014 fading humor romance

★★★☆☆

Positive Energy

zhèng néng liàng

Borrowed from physics (positive energy), co-opted by Chinese official media to mean inspiring, wholesome, party-approved content. Emerging around 2012, initially used sincerely in motivational contexts, it was rapidly adopted by state media as a way to frame preferred content — creating an inevitable ironic backlash. Now used sarcastically to mock overly saccharine, propaganda-adjacent optimism.

2010–2014 classic politics

★★★★☆

You Know What I Mean

A knowing phrase meaning 'you understand what I'm implying' — said when something is too sensitive, too obvious, or too private to state explicitly. Emerging around 2012, in politically sensitive contexts, "你懂的" signals that what's being referenced can't be said directly but the listener should understand. In everyday contexts, it's simply an efficient ellipsis for shared understanding.

2010–2014 classic politics

★★★★☆

To Roast / To Call Out

"吐槽" (Roasting / Calling Out) originated from Japanese ツッコミ (tsukkomi), the straight-man role in manzai comedy duos who points out the absurdity of the funny man's statements. The term was imported into Chinese internet culture through ACG (anime, comics, gaming) communities around 2010-2012, then exploded into mainstream usage via variety shows, social media, and everyday speech. Emerging around 2012, "吐槽" describes the art of calling out nonsense — not through angry criticism, but through witty, pointed commentary that exposes absurdity while remaining humorous. The concept is central to Chinese internet culture in ways that go beyond simple 'criticism.' 吐槽 is a social bonding mechanism: friends "吐槽" each other to show intimacy; audiences "吐槽" TV dramas to share collective viewing experiences; workers "吐槽" their bosses to vent frustration safely. Unlike direct confrontation (which is culturally discouraged), "吐槽" allows dissent wrapped in humor. The word spawned an entire content ecosystem — "吐槽" videos on Bilibili, "吐槽" accounts on Weibo, "吐槽" segments on variety shows — making it one of the most functionally important words in the Chinese internet lexicon.

2010–2014 still popular internet-culture

★★★★★

Big V / Verified Social Media Influencer

Verified Weibo accounts (marked with a blue V) with massive followings. Emerging around 2012, 大V (big V) are the original Chinese influencers — their opinions could move markets, sway public opinion, and make or break brands. Some 大V accumulated tens of millions of followers and wielded influence rivaling traditional media. Government crackdowns on 大V influence in 2013 were a landmark moment in Chinese internet history.

2010–2014 classic consumerism fandom

★★★★☆

Down to Earth / Relatable

Literally 'connected to the earth's energy/breath' — meaning grounded, relatable, in touch with ordinary people's lives. Emerging around 2012, used to praise content, politicians, or celebrities that feel authentic rather than elite and distant. A "接地气" speech feels real; a "接地气" celebrity shops at regular supermarkets; "接地气" content resonates because it reflects actual lived experience rather than aspirational fantasy.

2010–2014 classic politics

★★★★☆

City People Sure Know How to Have Fun

chéng huì wán

Short for "城里人真会玩" (city people really know how to have fun). Emerging around 2012, used ironically when urban trends or behaviors seem bizarre, excessive, or inexplicable to outsiders. When a weird food trend, a strange fashion, or an absurd social media challenge goes viral, the rural or 'common sense' perspective responds: '城会玩.' It's mock-admiration — simultaneously impressed and baffled by the creativity of weirdness.

2010–2014 classic humor internet-culture

★★★☆☆

Eighth-Grader Syndrome / Chuunibyou

zhōng èr bìng

Emerging around 2012, it describes the specific adolescent condition of believing you possess secret powers, hidden depths, or a uniquely tortured soul. The "中二" sufferer gives themselves an edgy nickname, claims to see the world differently from the 'sheep' around them, and performs profound suffering. Used both to mock teenagers and, ruefully, to describe one's own cringeworthy younger self.

2010–2014 still popular identity humor

★★★★☆

我去年买了个表

I Bought a Watch Last Year

wǒ qù nián mǎi le ge biǎo

"我去年买了个表" (I Bought a Watch Last Year) is one of the most elegant examples of Chinese internet code language — a seemingly innocent sentence that functions as a sophisticated circumvention tool. The phrase emerged during an era of aggressive keyword censorship on Weibo around 2012. Its genius lies in its plausible deniability: 'I bought a watch last year' reads like a mundane personal statement, but initiated users understood it as a coded expression of frustration or a signal that content had been deleted. The word '表' (watch/biǎo) carried a secondary association with surveillance — '被表' (being watched) — adding another layer of meaning about observation and censorship. The phrase remains a nostalgic touchstone for veteran Weibo users who remember when every politically sensitive discussion required creative encoding. It represents the Chinese internet's long tradition of linguistic creativity under constraint.

2010–2014 classic politics humor

★★★☆☆

Lick the Screen / Extreme Obsession

"舔屏" (Lick the Screen / Extreme Obsession) exemplifies the Chinese internet's love of grotesque physical metaphors for emotional states. Rather than saying 'I'm obsessed,' a user declares they want to literally lick their screen — the hyperbolic physical imagery providing a face-saving outlet for genuine admiration. The term emerged around 2012 on Weibo fan communities, initially used by K-pop and C-pop idol fans reacting to particularly attractive photos. The phrase expanded beyond fandom into food culture, travel content, and consumer desire — anything that provoked an involuntary physical reaction. The psychology behind "舔屏" is sophisticated: by describing desire as an uncontrollable bodily impulse, the speaker distances themselves from the vulnerability of genuine admiration. It's a performance of being overwhelmed that actually demonstrates emotional intelligence. The term continues to thrive on Xiaohongshu and Douyin, where users regularly declare photos of food, scenery, and celebrities to be "舔屏"-worthy.

2010–2014 still popular humor fandom

★★★☆☆

Domineering CEO / Overbearing President

bàdào zǒngcái

Picture a chiseled billionaire CEO who grabs your wrist in the rain, growls 'You belong to me,' and somehow that passes for romance. Emerging around 2013, the 'Domineering CEO' is a wildly popular trope from Chinese web novels and idol dramas — a controlling, filthy-rich alpha male who melts for one ordinary girl. The phrase got ironic mileage as Chinese netizens started using it to mock power-tripping bosses, absurd workplace demands, and anyone who confused arrogance with charisma.

2010–2014 classic fandom romance

★★★★☆

Borrowed straight from English fandom slang, "玛丽苏" describes an impossibly perfect female character — gorgeous, talented, and magnetically adored by every man within a ten-mile radius — whose only flaw is having no flaws. Emerging around 2013, in Chinese internet culture it exploded as a label for wish-fulfillment romance novels and idol dramas, then evolved into a teasing, self-aware badge people pin on themselves or others whenever someone is living a suspiciously charmed, too-good-to-be-true life.

2010–2014 classic fandom romance

★★★★☆

Warm Man / Mr. Considerate

A '暖男' is the guy who remembers your coffee order, notices when you're sad before you say a word, and somehow always has an umbrella when it rains. Emerging around 2013, think less brooding bad boy, more emotionally intelligent sweetheart. The term exploded as Chinese women began openly prioritizing empathy and attentiveness over the traditional 'strong, silent' male ideal. He's not a pushover — he's just genuinely tuned in. Basically the romantic archetype that rom-com writers wish they'd invented.

2010–2014 classic identity romance

★★★★☆

Cute Girl / Adorable Girl

A 'méng mèi zi' is the archetypal cute, sweet, endearingly innocent young woman who makes your heart melt. Emerging around 2013, the word 'méng' (萌) was borrowed from Japanese otaku culture meaning 'to bud' or spark affection, and 'mèi zi' simply means girl. By 2015 the phrase had jumped from anime forums into everyday slang, used as a compliment, a flirty label, or even a self-deprecating identity. Think less 'hot' and more 'puppies-and-bubble-tea adorable.'

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★☆☆

Tomboy / Iron Lady / She-Man

A "女汉子" is a woman who handles life like a boss — fixing her own leaky pipes, moving heavy furniture solo, and never crying over a guy. Emerging around 2013, the term blends admiration with light self-deprecation: she's tough, capable, and refreshingly drama-free. Think of it as the Chinese version of 'I don't need anyone to rescue me' energy, worn as a badge of honor. Women adopted it proudly to celebrate competence, even as it gently poked fun at traditional femininity.

2010–2014 classic identity workplace

★★★★☆

Weirdo / Oddball / Character

Originally a botanical term for a rare, exotic flower, '奇葩' got repurposed as internet slang for someone who is hilariously weird, eccentric, or just spectacularly bizarre. Emerging around 2013, think of it as calling someone a 'character' — but dialed up to eleven. It can be affectionate ribbing or gentle shade depending on context. The wildly popular TV show '奇葩说' (a debate show celebrating unconventional thinkers) supercharged this word into mainstream slang around 2015.

2010–2014 classic self-deprecation

★★★★☆

Goofball / Dork

A warm, affectionate way to call someone a lovable goofball or adorable idiot. Emerging around 2013, unlike a straight-up insult, "逗比" carries a playful, almost endearing undertone — the person being called one is usually doing something silly, absurd, or hilariously clueless. It can be self-deprecating (owning your own awkwardness) or directed at a close friend who just said something spectacularly dumb. Think 'dork' meets 'class clown,' said with a grin rather than an eye-roll.

2010–2014 classic self-deprecation

★★★★☆

academic slacker / school scrub

The lovable academic underdog who scraped through every exam by luck, prayer, or copying from the kid next to them. Emerging around 2013, '学渣' literally means 'study dregs' — the leftover bits after all the academic talent has been skimmed off. Chinese students adopted it as a badge of self-deprecating pride, turning academic mediocrity into a relatable, even endearing identity. Think of it as the opposite of the overachieving '学霸' (study overlord). Where the "学霸" sleeps four hours and aces everything, the "学渣" pulls an all-nighter and still fails.

2010–2014 classic education

★★★★☆

Academic Overlord / Study God

A "学霸" is that infuriating classmate who aces every exam without seemingly trying — the one who 'forgot to study' yet scores 99 while you pulled an all-nighter for a 62. Emerging around 2013, the term blends genuine admiration with self-deprecating envy. Think 'study god' or 'academic overlord.' It's the opposite of "学渣" (academic disaster), and Chinese students use it both to praise others and to wallow in their own scholarly inadequacy.

2010–2014 classic education

★★★★☆

Scheming Two-Faced B*tch / Calculating Social Climber

A "心机婊" is someone — usually a woman — who presents a sweet, harmless exterior while quietly engineering situations to her own advantage. Emerging around 2013, think of the colleague who compliments your outfit right before stealing your promotion idea, or the friend who plays innocent while methodically stealing your boyfriend. The term blends "心机" (scheming mind) with 婊 (a vulgar word for a promiscuous woman), making it pointed and deliberately edgy. It can be used as a serious accusation or, cheekily, as self-deprecating humor.

2010–2014 classic romance workplace

★★★☆☆

Green Tea B*tch

A 'green tea b*tch' is a woman who projects an image of innocence, simplicity, and natural charm — think fresh-faced, soft-spoken, clutching a cup of green tea — while allegedly being cunningly calculating underneath. Emerging around 2013, she's the girl who seems effortlessly pure but is accused of strategically manipulating men for attention, money, or status. Think 'wolf in sheep's clothing,' but make it aesthetically minimalist and vaguely literary.

2010–2014 classic romance workplace

★★★★☆

Too Exhausted to Love

lèi jué bù ài

A punchy four-character phrase meaning 'worn out, feeling incapable of love.' It captures that bone-deep emotional fatigue after too many disappointments in romance — or just life in general. Emerging around 2013, think of it as the Chinese millennial's weary shrug at the idea of relationships: not bitter, not dramatic, just quietly done. It went viral as young urbanites used it to joke about being too exhausted by work, dating apps, and modern expectations to bother with love anymore.

2010–2014 fading romance

★★★☆☆

Heart-blocked / Gutted

Imagine the feeling when you've just missed your bus, your boss piles on extra work, and your lunch order is wrong — all at once. Emerging around 2013, that's 心塞. Literally 'heart blocked,' it describes that sinking, chest-tightening sensation of frustration and helplessness. It's like the Chinese version of 'I can't even,' but with a vaguely cardiac flair. Used for anything from minor annoyances to genuine heartbreak, it became the go-to expression for China's perpetually stressed, mildly suffering internet denizens.

2010–2014 classic burnout workplace

★★★★☆

Nouveau Riche / Flash the Cash

Think of "土豪" as China's version of 'new money' with extra flair. Emerging around 2013, 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.

2010–2014 classic consumerism

★★★★★

重要的事情说三遍

Say It Three Times (for Emphasis)

zhòng yào de shì qíng shuō sān biàn

This meme is the Chinese internet's version of bold, underline, and highlight all at once. Emerging around 2013, when someone wants to stress a point beyond all doubt, they state it three times in a row — 'Study hard! Study hard! Study hard!' It's part earnest emphasis, part playful exaggeration, and very much a staple of Chinese online communication. Think of it as the rhetorical equivalent of shaking someone by the shoulders until they get the message.

2010–2014 classic education workplace

★★★★☆

High-End / Classy and Premium

gāo dà shàng

Abbreviation of "高端大气上档次" (high-end, atmospheric, up-scale) — the three qualities that defined aspirational Chinese consumption in the early 2010s. Emerging around 2013, a product, venue, or person that is "高大上" radiates premium quality and sophisticated taste. Used both sincerely (this restaurant is genuinely "高大上") and ironically (slapping "高大上" on something obviously mediocre). Its ironic use became equally common: slap "高大上" on anything mediocre to mock it. A cheap restaurant with marble floors? "高大上". A PowerPoint full of stock photos? Very "高大上". The term's flexibility — serious and satirical — made it endure.

2010–2014 classic consumerism

★★★★☆

I'm Drunk From This / I Give Up

yě shì zuì le

Literally 'also drunk from this' — expressing the dizzying bewilderment of encountering something so stupid, bizarre, or exasperating that you feel intoxicated by the absurdity. Emerging around 2013, not actual intoxication but cognitive dissonance so severe you can barely function. Used when news is ridiculous, when arguments are impossibly circular, or when reality defies comprehension.

2010–2014 classic burnout

★★★★☆

土豪我们做朋友吧

Rich Guy Let's Be Friends

tǔ háo wǒ men zuò péng yǒu ba

A humorous appeal to wealthy people for friendship — with the implied goal of benefiting from their wealth. Went massively viral in 2013 when Apple released the iPhone 5S in gold ('土豪金,' nouveau riche gold). The phrase perfectly captured the mixture of mockery and genuine envy that characterized Chinese attitudes toward new wealth. Saying it acknowledged the transactional nature of befriending the rich while laughing at yourself for doing it.

2010–2014 classic consumerism

★★★★☆

Internet Celebrity / Influencer

Short for "网络红人" (internet celebrity) — someone who became famous through online platforms. Emerging around 2013, chinese "网红" culture was more commercially integrated and more explicitly economic than Western influencer culture from the beginning. "网红" wasn't just about followers; it was a business model. The "网红" economy predated Western influencer culture in many ways, creating more transparent commercial frameworks.

2010–2014 classic consumerism

★★★★★

Chop-Hand Club / Compulsive Shoppers

duò shǒu dǎng

People so addicted to online shopping they joke about 'chopping off their own hands' to stop themselves. Emerging around 2013, the 'party' (党) suffix implies a whole movement of self-aware compulsive shoppers. "剁手党" members buy things, immediately regret it, swear they'll stop, then buy more things. Peaked during Double 11 shopping festivals when people would describe losing control as 'my hands moved on their own.'

2010–2014 still popular consumerism

★★★★☆

Couple Pairing / Shipped Relationship

From 'coupling' — a pairing of two people (real celebrities, fictional characters, or even streamer-viewer combinations) that fans imagine as a romantic couple. Emerging around 2013, cP culture in China is enormous: fans compile evidence of interactions, create fan fiction, purchase merchandise of their OTP, and invest emotionally in whether their CP will 'go official' (官宣). A well-matched CP generates constant content for their fan communities.

2010–2014 still popular fandom romance

★★★★★

Little Princess / Precious Little Royalty

xiǎo gōng jǔ

A playful phonetic twist on "小公主" (xiǎo gōngzhǔ, 'little princess'), swapping one character to create a slightly silly-sounding nickname. Emerging around 2014, used to teasingly describe someone — male or female — who acts spoiled, delicate, or high-maintenance in an endearing way. Think of calling a drama-prone friend your 'precious royal.' It can be affectionate praise or gentle ribbing, and became a staple in fan communities for doting on idols or cute celebrities.

2010–2014 fading fandom

★★★☆☆

Naive Sweetheart / Adorable Airhead

shǎ bái tián

Think of that heroine in every romcom who trips over her own feet, has no idea she's beautiful, and somehow charms everyone around her without trying. Emerging around 2014, "傻白甜" (silly-fair-sweet) is the trifecta: a touch naive, pleasantly innocent in appearance, and relentlessly sweet-natured. Originally a fond archetype from web novels and dramas, it evolved into a slightly ironic label — sometimes an insult, sometimes aspirational — for women who seem blissfully unaware of life's harsher edges.

2010–2014 classic fandom romance

★★★★☆

图样图森破

Too young, too simple, sometimes naive

tú yàng tú sēn pò

This phrase is a phonetic parody of "too young, too simple, sometimes naive" — the memorable English words Jiang Zemin used in 2000 to scold a Hong Kong reporter he found impertinent. Emerging around 2014, chinese netizens transliterated it into nonsense Chinese characters that sound vaguely similar, turning it into a playful insult for anyone who seems hopelessly naive or out of their depth. It's the internet's way of saying "sweetie, you have a lot to learn."

2010–2014 fading politics

★★★☆☆

Live long enough and you'll see everything

huó jiǔ jiàn

Roughly translating to 'live long enough and you'll see it all,' this phrase captures the mix of awe, disbelief, and dark humor that comes when something previously unthinkable actually happens. Emerging around 2014, think of it as the Chinese internet's way of saying 'well, I've officially seen everything now' — equal parts amazed, exhausted, and slightly amused that the world has become this weird.

2010–2014 classic self-deprecation

★★★★☆

颜值即正义

Looks Are Justice / Beauty Is Its Own Virtue

yán zhí jí zhèngyì

A tongue-in-cheek declaration that being attractive is, in itself, a form of moral rightness. Emerging around 2014, if someone gets away with something questionable purely because they're good-looking, or a celebrity is forgiven all sins by fans because of their face, '颜值即正义' is the knowing shrug that explains it all. Part satire, part sincere confession, it captures how beauty privilege operates in everyday Chinese internet culture with humor rather than bitterness.

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★★☆

Online-to-Offline (the gold rush that ate itself)

O2O (wú tú wú)

In 2015, O2O — 'Online to Offline' — was China's hottest buzzword, promising that apps could funnel internet users into real-world stores, restaurants, and services. Emerging around 2014, every startup slapped O2O on its pitch deck. Billions of yuan were poured into food delivery, on-demand massages, car washes, and even on-demand umbrella rentals. Most burned through cash and vanished. By 2016, O2O had become shorthand for reckless startup hype — China's version of the dot-com bubble, compressed into about eighteen months.

2010–2014 fading consumerism technology

★★★☆☆

Awl Face / V-Line Face

Awl Face describes the hyper-pointed, V-shaped chin that became the signature look of Chinese internet celebrities around 2015 — often achieved through jaw-shaving surgery or aggressive beauty filters. Emerging around 2014, the term pokes fun at a cookie-cutter beauty standard where everyone's face narrows to an almost weaponized point. If you've ever seen a selfie where the chin could pick a lock, you've witnessed "锥子脸" in its natural habitat.

2010–2014 fading fandom identity

★★★☆☆

Fresh Meat / Young Hunk

xiǎo xiān ròu

Literally 'little fresh meat,' this term refers to young, attractive, boyishly handsome male celebrities — think flawless skin, lean frames, and an almost edible prettiness. Coined by Chinese fangirls around 2014–2015, it skyrocketed as idol culture exploded on social media. It's affectionate, a little objectifying, and entirely tongue-in-cheek — the male equivalent of eye candy, served fresh and best enjoyed before age 30.

2010–2014 classic fandom identity

★★★★☆

不作死就不会死

bù zuō sǐ jiù bù huì sǐ

Literally 'if you don't court disaster, disaster won't come to you.' This became one of the few Chinese internet phrases to achieve genuine viral crossover into English-speaking internet culture. Emerging around 2014, when someone makes a terrible decision that backfires spectacularly, you invoke this phrase. The English version 'No Zuo No Die' became a recognized expression even among people with zero Chinese knowledge.

2010–2014 classic humor

★★★★★

Doing Whatever You Feel Like

Originally pejorative (willfully childish), repurposed by Chinese internet culture to mean doing whatever you want without caring about conventions or judgment. Emerging around 2014, the sentence structure '有钱任性' (have money, do whatever) gave it a specific economic dimension — "任性" is the freedom that resources (money, time, youth) enable. Now used both as aspiration and gentle self-mockery.

2010–2014 classic consumerism

★★★★☆

Nothing Left to Live For

shēng wú kě liàn

Literally 'nothing worth clinging to in life' — used dramatically for trivial misfortunes. Emerging around 2014, miss the bus: "生无可恋". Spill coffee: "生无可恋". Get a bad haircut: "生无可恋". The gap between the apocalyptic phrasing and the mundane trigger is the entire joke. A classic Chinese internet pattern of applying maximum existential weight to minimum inconvenience.

2010–2014 classic burnout

★★★★☆

To Recommend Enthusiastically / To Push Something on Someone

From Amway (安利 in Chinese) — the direct sales company famous for enthusiastic, persistent product recommendations from friends. Emerging around 2014, the brand became a verb: to "安利" someone means to passionately recommend something to them — a show, a song, a restaurant, a product. Unlike the Western connotation of MLM pressure, Chinese "安利" is usually positive: fan communities "安利" their idols to newcomers, friends "安利" good restaurants, content creators "安利" products they genuinely love.

2010–2014 still popular consumerism fandom

★★★★☆

High Energy Ahead / Intense Scene Warning

qián fāng gāo néng

Literally 'high energy ahead.' A warning that appears in danmu (弹幕 — scrolling on-screen comments) alerting viewers that something intense is coming — a scary scene, a shocking twist, an epic moment, or something so cringe-inducing you need to brace yourself. Emerging around 2014, often written as '前方高能预警' (high-energy warning ahead). It's the danmu community looking out for each other, like a friend grabbing your arm before the jump scare.

2010–2014 still popular internet-culture gaming

★★★★☆

Krypton / Spend Money on Games

Gaming slang for spending real money on in-game purchases, equipment upgrades, or gacha mechanics. Emerging around 2014, the term 'krypton' (氪) sounds similar to the action and became shorthand for 'whaling' in mobile games.

2010–2014 still popular gaming humor

★★★☆☆