China is the single largest national population of online users, and as a result, the Chinese have gravitated towards increased web lingo. In fact, China boasts the largest “netizen” (internet + citizens) community worldwide, even with “the Great Firewall of China” restricting the flow of information.

If you thought it was hard enough learning English web slang, just wait. Chinese combines a variety of numbers, characters and homonyms when communicating online. Figuring out that language is very difficult, but we here at TL can help.

Because slang is just how people talk, it’s crucial to learn and use whenever possible, even if it through a keyboard. Here are some slang phrases to use (or maybe avoid) that I’ve found to be important to keep in the repertoire. Just remember that like English, euphemisms are everywhere–so you may not be simply saying what you think you are. Here are some common internet slang phrases or 网际俚语 (wǎng jì lǐ yǔ):

New Web slang:

Previously covered web slang:

打酱油 (dǎjiàngyóu): Used usually online to mean “none of my business” or “does not involve me”. Translates literally as “get soy sauce”.

“杯具” or 悲剧 (bēijù): “cups” or “cupware” is a pun on the word tragedy.

骚女 (xiǎojiě): when not referring to a young woman as a “miss”, it refers to girls who provide company or sexual services in exchange for money. Be careful with this one, especially when you travel in China.

加油 (jiāyóu): An expression of encouragement or support similar to “good luck”, “go for it”, “try your best”, or “wish you well,” depending on context. Literally means “add oil”.

蜗居 (wōjū): a shabby and often small residence that is far from ideal but what one can afford. As a verb, it means to live in such said space. Literally translates as “snail home”.

愤青 (fènqīng): indignant/angry youth. Refers to young Chinese who are too patriotic or nationalistic.

Then here are some common day slang phrases you’ll often encounter in the day-to-day:

喝水 (hē shuǐ): to drink water/A metaphor for those who suffer setbacks(in work or life)or suffer losses(in business).

哎呦 (āiyōu): “hey” “ouch” or an interjection to get attention

牛比 or simply 牛B: “awesome” or quite literally “cows [expletive]”. Not sure why that translates to awesome but ok…

熬着吃 (āo zhe chī): to go crazy  or just plain old “nuts”.

吹牛皮 (chuī niú pí): “to brag”

爱谁谁 (ai shéi shéi): whoever; whoever you want/like or simply “whatever”

笨蛋 (bèndàn): “idiot” or “moron”.

同志 (tóng zhì): literally means “comrade”,  but now has a second ironic meaning as “gay person” or “homosexual”.

怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) or 怎么了 (zěnmele): “what’s up?” or “what’s happening?”

不咋的 (bùzădì): “not so great” or “not too hot”. Usually refers to when someone asks you how are you and you reply you don’t feel well or sick.

打屁 (dăpì): to shoot the breeze or “have a chat”. Funnily enough it literally translates at “bean fart”.

and who can forget, 拜拜 (bài bài) another Chinglish translation of the english phrase “bye bye”.

拜拜！