Talk Like Gen Z: 7 Chinese Slang Words You Must Know in 2025
Top 7 Popular Chinese Slang Words in 2025 Explained | Talk Like Gen Z
📖 Reading time: 9 minutes | Updated: Sep 2025
Language is alive, it grows, bends, and reinvents itself with every generation. Nowhere is this more obvious than in Chinese internet culture, where slang emerges daily and spreads across the mainstream social medias like WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, and Bilibili like wildfire. If you want to truly connect with Chinese Gen Z, you’ll need more than just textbook Mandarin.
In this blog, we’ll explore top 7 of the most popular slang terms in 2025 that shape conversations among young people in China.
Top 7 Chinese Slang Words You’ll Learn
- 内卷 (nèi juǎn) Involution
- 摆烂 (bǎi làn) Let It Rot
- 666 (liù liù liù) Awesome!
- 佛系 (fó xì) Buddha-Like
- 真香 (zhēn xiāng) So Good After All
- YYDS (yōng yuǎn de shén) Forever God / GOAT
- 牛马 (niú mǎ) The Enslaved Worker
1. 内卷 (nèi juǎn) Involution
"内卷" (nèijuǎn), the feeling of being trapped on a treadmill that's constantly speeding up. It’s a term that has become a viral sensation, a collective sigh of exhaustion that perfectly captures the sense of being caught in a pointless, hyper-competitive loop. This isn't about healthy competition; it's about a relentless, zero-sum game where the goal isn’t to create something new or better, but simply to outdo the person next to you just to stay in the same spot. It’s the societal equivalent of everyone running faster and faster, but the finish line is just a mirage.
This phenomenon shows up in many facets of a Chinese local life. In education, it’s the parents who sign their kids up for every possible after-school program and tutoring session, not out of a genuine love for learning, but because they fear their child will fall behind if they don't. In the big workplace, it manifests as performative overwork: all employees staying late to 10 pm at the office, not because they have tasks to complete, but because everyone else is doing it, creating a vicious cycle where a normal workday is now seen as being lazy. This kind of "involution" doesn't lead to innovation or better outcomes; it simply makes the entire system more exhausting and less efficient.
The popularity of the use of "内卷" , "卷" in China reflects a deep-seated anxiety about a lack of opportunities and a sense of powerlessness against systemic pressures.
Common Usage
现在教育太卷了，孩子们都太累了。
Xiàn zài jiào yù tài juǎn le, háizi men dōu tài lèi le.
The education system is too competitive; the children are all so tired.
我们公司内卷太严重了，大家都在无意义地加班。
Wǒ men gōng sī nèi juǎn tài yán zhòng le, dà jiā dōu zài wú yì yì de jiā bān.
The involution at our company is too severe; everyone is doing meaningless overtime.
2. 摆烂 (bǎi làn) Let It Rot
"摆烂" (bǎi làn), literally "to let it rot," is a popular phrase that originated in online gaming and has since taken over social media. It captures a moment of resigned defeat, where an individual or group decides to simply throw in the towel and abandon all effort. It’s a sardonic form of rebellion against an overwhelming and seemingly impossible situation like "内卷", and then the person says, "Fine, if I can't win, I won't even try anymore." The term is often used with a sense of dark humor, to against the "内卷" culture.
Common Usage
我太累了，决定摆烂。
Wǒ tài lèi le, jué dìng bǎi làn
I'm so tired, I've decided to give up.
The phrase has also spawned a popular verb form, "开摆" (kāi bǎi), which means "to start the process of giving up."
This is a particularly common usage among Gen Z Chinese. For example, a student might say:
考试太难了，我要开摆了。
Kǎo shì tài nán le, wǒ yào kāi bǎi le
The exam is too hard, I'm going to start giving up.
3. 666 (liù liù liù) Awesome!
In modern Chinese internet culture, the number 666 is an extremely popular slang term used to mean "awesome," "cool," or "impressive." This is in stark contrast to its meaning in Western cultures, where it is famously known as the "number of the beast" and a symbol of evil. The different interpretations of this number offer a fascinating example of how cultural contexts can completely flip a symbol's meaning.
The origin of the Chinese meaning for 666 is based on a homophone, a word that sounds the same as another but has a different meaning. In Mandarin Chinese, the number six (六, liù) is pronounced similarly to the character "溜" (liū), which is a colloquial term for "smooth," "slick," or "fluid."
Common Usage
As a standalone phrase: You can simply type 666 as a comment on a social media post, a message to a friend, or in a live stream chat to express your approval.
In a phrase like "太6了" (tài liù le): This literally translates to "too six," but it means "that's so cool" or "that's amazing."
For example, if you see a video of a person performing an incredible skateboard trick, you might say, "哇，这太6了！" (Wā, zhè tài liù le!), which means, "Wow, that's amazing!"
4. 佛系 (fó xì) Buddha-Like
佛系 (fó xì), or "Buddha-Like," is a contemporary Chinese slang term that describes a mindset of detachment, indifference, and passive acceptance. It represents a conscious withdrawal from the pressures of modern life, a rejection of the relentless competition and anxiety that define a lot of today's society.
The term doesn't imply a strict religious belief. Instead, it draws on the Buddhist principles of a minimalist, non-confrontational, and non-attached approach to life. A "佛系" person is someone who is content with just "good enough." They don't obsess over career advancements, material possessions, or social status. For them, the stress of the hustle is simply not worth the reward.
This mindset is a direct response to the social phenomenon of "内卷" (nèi juǎn), or "involution," If "内卷" is the feeling of running a race you can't win, and "摆烂" is the act of giving up running altogether, then "佛系" is the act of still in the race, but deciding to putt no more extra effort in winning the competition.
Common Usage
The term is often used to describe someone's attitude toward specific situations. You'll hear phrases like:
佛系青年 (fó xì qīng nián): A "Buddha-like youth" who is detached from traditional ambitions. They might prefer a low-stress job and a simple life over a high-paying, high-pressure career.
佛系恋爱 (fó xì liàn ài): A "Buddha-like relationship" where neither partner is overly demanding or stressed about the future. They do not pursuit and let the relationship unfold itself.
佛系追星 (fó xì zhuī xīng): "Buddha-like fandom," where a fan supports their idol in a chill, non-obsessive way without getting involved in fan wars or intense online battles.
Instead of fighting for the best outcome, a "佛系" person simply goes with the flow. They are not lazy; they are just selective about where they invest their energy. They understand that not every battle is worth fighting, and sometimes, true peace comes from simply letting go.
5. 真香 (zhēn xiāng) So Good After All
The Origin and Meaning of "真香" (zhēn xiāng)
"真香" (zhēn xiāng), which literally means "truly fragrant" or "it smells so good," is a popular internet slang term used to express a dramatic U-turn in one's attitude, particularly when a person goes from vehemently rejecting something to enthusiastically embracing it. It perfectly captures a moment of delicious hypocrisy—admitting that something you once looked down upon is, in fact, irresistible.
The "变形记" (X-Change) Connection
The term "真香" originated from a specific scene in the Chinese reality TV show "变形记" (X-Change). The show's premise involves a cultural and social experiment where rebellious urban teenagers are sent to live with poor families in the countryside, while the rural children get a taste of city life.
The scene that launched the meme features a protagonist named Wang Jingze (王境泽). In one episode, Wang Jingze, a famously rebellious teenager, gets into an argument and, in a moment of defiance, declares that he would rather starve to death than eat anything from the rural family.
A short time later, however, he is shown hungrily eating a bowl of rice and vegetables. With his mouth full, he lets out a contented sigh and says the famous line: “真香！” (Zhēn xiāng! It's so good!).
Common Usage
The most common usage involves a direct contradiction between a person’s initial words and their later actions.
In daily conversation:
我才不追那个剧呢，太傻了。...没想到看了两集，真香！
Wǒ cái bù zhuī nà gè jù ne, tài shǎ le. ...Méi xiǎng dào kàn le liǎng jí, zhēn xiāng!
I’m not going to watch that show, it's so silly. ...But I watched two episodes, and now it's so good!
我发誓再也不熬夜了。结果，真香！
Wǒ fā shì zài yě bù áo yè le. Jié guǒ, zhēn xiāng!
I swore I wouldn't stay up late again. Turns out, it's so good! (referring to the pleasure of staying up late).
刚开始嫌弃这个新手机不好用，用了两天，真香！
Gāng kāi shǐ xián qì zhè ge xīn shǒu jī bù hǎo yòng, yòng le liǎng tiān, zhēn xiāng!
At first I disliked this new phone because it was hard to use, but after two days, it's so good!
6. YYDS (yōng yuǎn de shén) Forever God
YYDS is a highly popular internet abbreviation that stands for 永远的神 (yǒngyuǎn de shén), which literally translates to "eternal god." It is widely used by Gen Z to declare someone or something the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). Unlike its religious undertones, "YYDS" in this context is a secular and ultimate form of praise. It's a quick and powerful way to express immense admiration for a person, a skill, a piece of art, or even a product.
Common Usage
The term can be used as a standalone comment or within a full sentence. Its versatility allows it to be applied to a wide range of subjects.
For an Individual's Performance
When an athlete, a performer, or a public figure achieves an incredible feat, "YYDS" is the ultimate compliment.
Example: After a basketball player makes an impossible shot at the last second.
那个绝杀球太厉害了，YYDS！
Nà gè jué shā qiú tài lì hài le, YYDS!
That game-winning shot was so awesome, GOAT!
For a Product or Experience
"YYDS" isn't limited to people; it's also used to praise anything that is considered top-tier.
Example: A food blogger tries a new snack or drink and is completely blown away by the taste.
这家奶茶真的YYDS，我爱了！
Zhè jiā nǎi chá zhēn de YYDS, wǒ ài le!
This bubble tea shop is truly the GOAT, I love it!
7. 牛马 (niú mǎ) The Enslaved Worker
牛马 (niú mǎ), which literally means "ox and horse," is a potent modern slang term used to describe "the enslaved worker." It is a self-deprecating and often cynical label used by people, particularly young workers, who feel they are being treated like beasts of burden in their jobs.
The term draws a metaphor from the traditional role of animals that labor tirelessly and are viewed as mere tools for production. It is a common form of protest and a way for people to express their frustration with the grueling realities of modern work culture.
Common Usage Examples
To describe one's own labor-intensive situation
This is often used in a self-deprecating or complaining tone, particularly after a long, difficult workday.
天天加班到深夜，感觉自己就是个牛马。
Tiān tiān jiā bān dào shēn yè, gǎn jué zì jǐ jiù shì gè niú mǎ.
Working overtime until late every day, I feel like I'm just an ox and a horse.
To describe a broader sense of being a part of the exploited working class
This usage is a common sentiment in online communities, reflecting a shared feeling of powerlessness among young professionals.
都说打工人是牛马，真的太贴切了。
Dōu shuō dǎ gōng rén shì niú mǎ, zhēn de tài tiē qiè le.
Everyone says that workers are oxen and horses; it's so true.
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