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What is '社畜(shè kù)' mean in Chinese Slang?

This term literally means "corporate livestock" and refers to employees who are overworked and treated like cogs in a machine. It’s a self-deprecating term used to describe the exhausting and dehumanizing aspects of corporate life.

Example: If you’re working late every day and feel exhausted, you might say, "I’m just a 社畜, surviving the grind."

Fun fact: The term originated in Japan as "shachiku" and was adopted into Chinese internet culture.

Popular Slangs

柠檬精

Someone who is jealous

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Gossipy. Nosy.

onion

Something that makes you emotional

白嫖

Freeloading. Getting something for free.

2B

Idiot. stupid.

王八蛋

Turtle egg. Insult meaning "jerk" or "scumbag."

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Overworked and underpaid.

种草

Planting grass. Recommending something.

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You’re so dumb. You’re an idiot.

面基

Meeting in person. Offline meetup.