Chinese is already a challenging language for many foreigners, but understanding Chinese internet conversations can feel like learning an entirely different language. Social media platforms are filled with abbreviations, numbers, memes and expressions whose meanings are not obvious from a dictionary. Some popular examples include those shared by Hello-Hello, a leading Chinese language learning app developer for iOS and Android devices.

• 666 (liù liù liù) – impressive, awesome
• YYDS (yǒngyuǎn de shén) – the best, GOAT
• XSWL (xiào sǐ wǒ le) – that’s hilarious
• 内卷 (nèijuǎn) – excessive competition
• 躺平 (tǎngpíng) – “lying flat,” giving up on excessive competition
• 摆烂 (bǎilàn) – deliberately giving up or letting things go
• 社死 (shèsǐ) – extremely embarrassing or “social death”
• 520 (wǔ èr líng) – “I love you”

Why Is Chinese Internet Slang So Difficult for Foreigners?

The biggest problem is that these expressions often cannot be understood through literal translation. Chinese internet users frequently shorten phrases, play with pronunciation or use numbers because they sound similar to Chinese words. For someone who has learned Mandarin from textbooks, seeing a string such as “YYDS” or “666” in a comment can therefore be completely confusing. The meaning also depends heavily on context. An expression that looks strange in a dictionary may be perfectly normal in a casual online conversation.

“Chinese internet slang is more than shortened language; it is a window into the humour, culture and changing habits of modern Chinese speakers.” Opines, Ms Sarah Gontijo, CEO & Co-Founder, Hello-Hello, who holds a Bachelor’s in Law from Faculdades Milton Campos and a Master’s in Political Management from The George Washington University.

666 Means More Than a Number

666 (liù liù liù) is one of the most recognisable Chinese internet expressions. Online, it is commonly used to praise someone for doing something impressive, particularly in gaming or livestreaming. If somebody performs an amazing move, another person might simply comment “666.” For foreigners, the important lesson is that Chinese internet users often give ordinary numbers additional meanings based on pronunciation or online culture.

YYDS and XSWL Turn Phrases Into Initials

YYDS comes from 永远的神 (yǒngyuǎn de shén), meaning “eternal god.” Online, it is used to describe someone or something considered the absolute best, similar to calling someone the “GOAT.”

XSWL comes from 笑死我了 (xiào sǐ wǒ le), meaning “I’m laughing so hard.” It is similar to “LOL” in English.

These abbreviations can be particularly difficult because foreigners may recognise the Latin letters but have no idea that they represent the initials of Chinese pinyin words.

内卷, 躺平 and 摆烂 Reflect Modern Life

Some slang terms have become popular because they describe modern social experiences.

内卷 (nèijuǎn) refers to intense competition in which people keep working harder without necessarily gaining an advantage. It can be used when talking about education, careers or everyday life.

躺平 (tǎngpíng) literally means “lying flat.” It describes a decision to step away from relentless competition and reduce pressure.

Then there is 摆烂 (bǎilàn), which describes essentially giving up on trying to improve a difficult situation and simply letting things happen.

These words are difficult to translate perfectly because their meanings involve cultural and social context.

社死 Describes an Awkward Moment

社死 (shèsǐ) is short for 社会性死亡, meaning “social death.”

It describes an extremely embarrassing situation where someone feels they have completely lost face in front of other people. For example, accidentally sending a private message to the wrong group chat could easily become a 社死 moment.

Why Do Numbers Appear So Often?

Numbers are another fascinating part of Chinese internet slang.

520 (wǔ èr líng) is associated with “I love you” because its pronunciation resembles 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). It is often connected with romantic messages and online celebrations of love.

Similarly, 88 (bā bā) can be used to mean goodbye because it sounds similar to “bye-bye.”

Chinese internet slang shows how creative and constantly changing modern Mandarin can be. Numbers, pinyin initials, wordplay and cultural references allow users to communicate ideas quickly and humorously. For foreigners learning Chinese, the best approach is to understand these expressions before trying to use them. Once you know the cultural context behind them, Chinese social media conversations become much easier—and far more interesting—to understand.

Learn Chinese (Hello-Hello)

Check out the new version of our Chinese language learning app for iPhone and iPad. Learn Chinese with Hello-Hello offers a completely new and improved version of our app with animated videos, a redesigned interface and additional features! Follow our adorable characters on a fun journey to learn Chinese!

Seriously, this is now, by far, THE BEST language learning app available on iTunes 🙂

• • Animated videos and comic strips.
  • New games to practice reading and listening skills.
  • Cleaner and more friendly user interface.
  • Follow your course progress.
  • Take notes.
  • Receive notifications with lesson reminders. The more you practice, the more you learn!
  • Receive notifications with new words to build your vocabulary.
  • Check out the iTunes store Hello-Hello Chinese app here, and the Android Play Store