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What is '打工人(dǎ gōng rén)' mean in Chinese Slang?

This term literally means "working person" and is used to describe ordinary employees or laborers. It gained popularity as a self-deprecating and humorous way for people to refer to themselves, especially when acknowledging the hardships of work life. It reflects a mix of resilience and resignation to the daily grind.

Example: If someone posts a photo of themselves at work with a caption like, "Another day of being a 打工人," they’re humorously acknowledging their work struggles.

Fun fact: The term became a viral meme, often paired with motivational phrases like, "Stay strong, 打工人!" to encourage perseverance.

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