Slang

1. 给力

   Gěilì

   Awesome / Delivers

   Usage

   Praise for something that lives up to the hype. Well established for over a decade and safe with staff or friends

2. 靠谱

   Kàopǔ

   Reliable / Legit

   Usage

   Praise for a shop, guide, or piece of information you can trust. Safe with anyone; the negative "bù kàopǔ" sounds accusing, so avoid it

3. 牛

   Niú

   Amazing / Killer

   Usage

   Literally "cow" — colloquial praise for skill, usually as "tài niú le". In chat the same idea is typed "666", a pun on "liù" (slick). It flatters, so it works with anyone

4. 绝了

   Juéle

   Absolutely perfect

   Usage

   The exclamation for food or a view with nothing to fault. It is praise, so you can say it to staff

5. 永远的神

   Yǒngyuǎn de shén

   The eternal GOAT

   Usage

   Typed as the initials "yyds" in chat. The top-tier compliment for a shop, an athlete, or an actor. It only flatters, so it never offends

6. 哈哈哈

   Hāhāhā

   Haha

   Usage

   The standard laugh in Chinese chat — the more characters, the bigger the laugh. Safe with anyone

7. 无语

   Wúyǔ

   Speechless

   Usage

   The "I have no words" reaction to an absurd situation. Say it about the situation — aimed at a person it sounds contemptuous

8. 服了

   Fúle

   I bow to you

   Usage

   Literally "I submit" — conceding to someone's skill. Use it as sincere praise with people you know; it can also be sarcastic, so pair it with a smile

9. 打卡

   Dǎkǎ

   To check in at a spot

   Usage

   Originally "to punch a time card". Now it means visiting a famous spot, taking the photo, and posting it. Fine with anyone when talking travel

10. 网红

    Wǎnghóng

    Internet-famous

    Usage

    Most useful as "wǎnghóng diàn" — the shop everyone posts about. Applied to a person it can imply hype over substance, so keep it for places

11. 种草

    Zhòngcǎo

    To be sold on something

    Usage

    Literally "to plant grass" — the moment a recommendation makes you want something. "Bèi nǐ zhòngcǎo le" teases the person who sold you on it. Harmless with shopping companions or staff

12. 拔草

    Bácǎo

    To finally get it (or give up on it)

    Usage

    The opposite of "zhòngcǎo" — pulling the grass out. Used both for finally buying the thing and for losing interest once you see it. Say it about your own shopping

13. 剁手

    Duòshǒu

    To shop till it hurts

    Usage

    The literal image is grim, but it is a self-mocking vow to stop buying. Say it about yourself only, never about someone else

14. 秒杀

    Miǎoshā

    Flash sale

    Usage

    The online "gone in seconds" bargain, and by extension "to beat someone hands down". Fine with anyone when talking shopping

15. 躺平

    Tǎngpíng

    To lie flat / opt out

    Usage

    Stepping off the treadmill and refusing to overwork. Say it about yourself — telling someone else they are "tǎngpíng" calls them lazy

16. 内卷

    Nèijuǎn

    Rat-race spiral

    Usage

    The social term for competition that exhausts everyone and rewards no one. Comes up about work and exams. It describes a situation, so it is safe as long as you do not aim it at a person

17. 佛系

    Fóxì

    Zen about it

    Usage

    Literally "Buddha-style" — going with the flow instead of chasing outcomes. Handy for describing your own travel style, and it puts nobody down

18. 社恐

    Shèkǒng

    Socially anxious

    Usage

    Short for "shèjiāo kǒngjù". Use it about yourself — for instance when politely skipping a hostel social. Applied to someone else it is a label, so do not

19. 摸鱼

    Mōyú

    To slack off

    Usage

    From the idiom about fishing in muddy water — quietly taking it easy on the clock. Self-deprecating about yourself; aimed at someone else it is an accusation

20. 真香

    Zhēnxiāng

    Actually, it's great

    Usage

    Literally "smells so good" — the set line for someone who swore they would never and then loved it. Funny about your own U-turn; aimed at someone else it teases

21. 干饭

    Gànfàn

    To dig in

    Usage

    A cheerful word for tucking in. A "gànfànrén" is someone who lives to eat. Safe with anyone at the table

22. 破防

    Pòfáng

    That got to me

    Usage

    From gaming — "defence broken". The state of being moved or caught off guard. It describes your own feelings, so it is safe to show anyone

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