Chinese slang for emotion
555
This is the sound of crying in Chinese. The number "5" sounds like "wu" (呜), which is the onomatopoeia for sobbing. So, when someone says "555," they’re basically typing out crying noises, like "waaaah" or "boo hoo." It’s used when someone’s feeling sad, frustrated, or even fake-crying for comedic effect.
530
This one’s a bit romantic. The numbers 5-3-0 sound like "wǒ xiǎng nǐ" (我想你), which means "I miss you." It’s a cute and indirect way to say "I miss you," especially in texts or online chats. People also use it to express longing or思念.
dbq
This one’s a quick way to apologize. The letters "dbq" stand for the first letters of "对不起" (duì bù qǐ), which means "sorry" in Chinese. It’s casual and often used in texts or online chats when someone wants to say sorry without typing out the full phrase.
bhys
This one’s another way to apologize casually. The letters "bhys" stand for "不好意思" (bù hǎo yì si), which means "sorry" or "excuse me." It’s less formal than "dbq" and is often used when you’re slightly embarrassed or need to interrupt someone.
WC
WC stands for '卧槽' (wò cáo), used to express surprise, shock, or admiration. Originally carrying vulgar connotations, this term has evolved into a relatively neutral exclamation through the development of internet language. It is widely used among young people, reflecting the deconstruction and reconstruction of traditional language by internet slang.
佛系
This term describes a lifestyle or attitude of being calm, detached, and unbothered by stress or competition. It’s like saying, "Whatever happens, happens." People who are "佛系" don’t stress over things they can’t control and go with the flow. It’s often used to describe someone who’s not ambitious in a traditional sense but is content with life as it is.
破防了
This term originally comes from gaming, where "破防" means "breaking through defense." In internet slang, it’s used to describe a moment when someone’s emotions are so deeply affected that they feel overwhelmed—whether by sadness, anger, or even joy. It’s like saying, "I’m emotionally wrecked" or "This hit me right in the feels."
社死
This term describes an extremely embarrassing situation that makes you want to disappear from society. It’s like saying, "I want to crawl into a hole and never come out." It’s often used when someone does something awkward or cringe-worthy in public or online, and they feel like they can never recover from it.
上头
This term literally means "going to the head," like the feeling of being drunk. In internet slang, it’s used to describe something so addictive or exciting that you can’t stop thinking about it or doing it. It’s like saying, "I’m obsessed" or "This is so addictive."
onion
A metaphor for something that makes you cry, similar to peeling an onion. It's often used to describe emotional or touching stories.
柠檬精
Literally 'lemon spirit', describing people who feel jealous when others are doing better. Often used online with a self-deprecating or teasing tone.
醉了
Literally means 'drunk', but in internet slang expresses feelings of helplessness, speechlessness, or being at a loss. Often used to convey mild dissatisfaction or teasing.