Internet & Gen-Z slang 网络新词 · 網路新詞

involution; rat-race burnout, literally “rolling inward”

A sociology term gone viral: competing harder and harder for shrinking returns, like everyone standing at a concert so nobody sees better. '太卷了' = insanely competitive.

lying flat; quiet quitting, literally “lie flat”

Opting out of the rat race entirely: no house, no overtime, no ambitions beyond basic comfort. The Gen-Z protest that made the state uncomfortable.

giving up deliberately; letting it rot, literally “displaying rot”

From basketball 'tanking': knowing something is failing and letting it fail worse on purpose. Heavier than 躺平 — not opting out, actively not trying.

buddha-style; chill, whatever happens, literally “buddhist style”

Detached, low-desire, unbothered: 佛系追星 (casual fan), 佛系玩家 (plays for fun). From a 2014 Japanese magazine term for unhurried men.

humblebragging, literally “Versailles”

Complaining in a way that shows off: 'my husband keeps buying me designer bags, so annoying'. Named for the manga 凡尔赛玫瑰 and its accidental luxury.

feeling down, in a mood, literally “emotional”

Borrowed from the music genre; on Chinese internet it just means suddenly sad or melancholy, usually at 3am. '我emo了' = I'm in my feelings.

emotionally shattered; defenses down, literally “defense broken”

Gaming term 'armor pierced' for the moment a video or comment breaks your composure — tears, laughter or anger. '给我整破防了'.

moved to tears, literally “wet eyes”

From Japanese 涙目 via anime subtitles; eyes welling up, usually at a reunion, tribute or old photo.

can't keep a straight face, literally “can't hold taut”

Your poker face snaps — from suppressing laughter, or holding back tears. '绷不住了' is the moment the dam cracks.

dying of laughter, literally “laughing can't live”

'I literally can't breathe/laughing myself to death' — the current strongest laugh reaction, successor of 笑死我了.

the opposite of a crush; turnoff, literally “head down”

Instantly losing romantic interest in someone — the opposite of 上头. '他突然下头了' = the charm wore off in one sentence.

obsessed, can't stop, literally “head up”

Addictively into something — a show, a person, a game. '太上头了' is the modern 'can't put it down'.

a sudden crush, literally “crush”

English word used directly: a fleeting but intense romantic interest, usually someone you don't actually talk to. '我的crush'.

simp; devoted simp, literally “licking dog”

Someone who degrades themselves chasing affection that never comes; harsher and more self-aware than 'lovesick'.