1. Social Emotions and Youth Culture

1. ‌泰酷辣 (Too Cool / tài kù là)

2. ‌
   Translation: A pun on "so cool," expressing strong admiration for things or actions, blending humor and trendiness.
   Origin: Originating from comments on short video platforms addressing exaggerated events ‌
   Context: Praising fashion styles, tech innovations, or creative ideas, e.g., "This design is tài kù là!"

3. ‌破防 (Emotional Breakdown / pò fáng)

4. ‌
   Translation: Describes a complete emotional collapse, reflecting intense emotional impact or resonance.
   Origin: Popularized in live-stream chat during esports competitions when players faced failure ‌
   Context: Reacting to touching movies, news, or speeches, e.g., "This documentary made me pò fáng."

5. ‌芭比Q了 (Barbecued / bā bǐ Q le)

6. ‌
   Translation: A pun on "barbecue," initially mocking in-game character deaths, now meaning "doomed."
   Origin: From a Douyin (TikTok) game streamer’s viral video ‌
   Context: Self-mocking failures, e.g., "I didn’t study for the exam—now I’m barbecued!"

2. Lifestyle and Workplace

4. ‌班味 (Office Fatigue / bān wèi)

5. ‌
   Translation: Describes the exhausted demeanor of office workers under prolonged stress.
   Origin: From an online article titled How Office Life Changes Your Vibe ‌
   Context: Complaining about work stress, e.g., "My office fatigue is off the charts today!"

6. ‌躺平 (Lie Flat / tǎng píng)

7. ‌
   Translation: Advocates a low-pressure, anti-overwork lifestyle against societal competition.
   Origin: Inspired by social media debates on Nordic work-life balance ‌
   Context: Discussing life philosophy, e.g., "I’ll lie flat all weekend!"

8. ‌退!退!退! (Back Off! / tuì! tuì! tuì!)

9. ‌
   Translation: Mimics a viral video of a woman shouting to drive away vendors, symbolizing rejection.
   Origin: From a Douyin video with the caption "Back off!" ‌.
   Context: Rejecting demands, e.g., "Overtime? Back off!"

3. Technology and Digital Culture

7. ‌电子榨菜 (Digital Pickled Vegetables / diànzǐ zhàcài)

8. ‌
   Translation: Refers to short videos or shows consumed during meals as "digital side dishes."
   Origin: Coined in discussions on fragmented entertainment habits ‌
   Context: Sharing leisure habits, e.g., "My digital pickles are Empresses in the Palace."

9. ‌硬核 (Hardcore / yìng hé)

10. ‌
    Translation: Describes something highly professional, authentic, or challenging.
    Origin: From gamers’ reviews of difficult content ‌
    Context: Praising technical skills, e.g., "This code is hardcore!"

4. Humor and Self-Deprecation

9. ‌大冤种 (Big Loser / dà yuān zhǒng)

10. ‌
    Translation: A Northeastern dialect term mocking oneself as unlucky or wronged.
    Origin: Popularized by Northeastern vloggers’ self-deprecating content ‌
    Context: Mocking misfortunes, e.g., "I dropped my phone—what a big loser!"

11. ‌小丑竟是我自己 (The Clown Is Me / xiǎo chǒu jìng shì wǒ zì jǐ)

12. ‌
    Translation: Self-mocking phrase for being the joke in a situation, from online memes.
    Origin: From social media parodies of embarrassing moments ‌
    Context: Complaining about social blunders, e.g., "I got blocked after helping someone shop—the clown is me!"

Glossary (Chinese-English)‌