Chinese Slang: Internet Slang, Numbers, and a Few Rude Words
沉浸 TeamAugust 6, 20264 min readModern Chinese slang comes in three main flavors: internet slang, number codes, and a few rude words you should recognize but use with care. Three quick examples: 666 (liùliùliù) means "awesome," yyds means "the greatest of all time," and 加油 (jiāyóu) means "you got this."
Textbooks skip this stuff, but you'll see it in every comment section, group chat, and TV drama. This guide covers the slang you'll meet most often. For the polite, everyday phrases, start with our essential Chinese phrases guide.
Chinese internet slang you'll see everywhere
666 (liùliùliù): awesome, skilled. Typed in chat when someone does something impressive, like clapping in numbers.
牛 (niú): impressive, amazing. Literally "cow." The longer form 牛逼 (niúbī) is stronger but crude, so stick with 牛 in polite company.
加油 (jiāyóu): "you got this," "keep going." Literally "add oil." Said to cheer someone on before a test, a race, or a hard week.
卧槽 (wòcáo): "whoa" or "no way." Very common, but crude. Fine among close friends, not in front of your teacher.
yyds: short for 永远的神 (yǒngyuǎn de shén), "eternal god." It means "the GOAT," the greatest of all time. Typed in letters, even in Chinese sentences.
摆烂 (bǎilàn): to slack off on purpose, to stop trying because the situation feels hopeless.
内卷 (nèijuǎn): the rat-race grind. Describes pointless hyper-competition where everyone works harder but nobody gets ahead.
躺平 (tǎngpíng): "lying flat." Opting out of the grind entirely. The chill cousin of 摆烂.
吃瓜 (chīguā): watching drama or gossip from the sidelines. Literally "eating melon," like eating popcorn while a scandal unfolds.
Chinese number codes
Chinese numbers can sound like words, so whole phrases get compressed into digits. These four show up constantly in texts and comments:
520 (wǔ èr líng): "I love you," because it sounds a little like 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). May 20th has even become an unofficial valentine's day. More on this in our guide to saying I love you in Chinese.
88 (bābā): "bye-bye," (outdated, used by older generations) because bā bā sounds like the English "bye-bye." A quick way to end a chat.
555 (wǔwǔwǔ): crying. (outdated, used by older generations) The sound wǔ wǔ wǔ imitates sobbing, like typing "waaah."
233: laughing. (outdated, used by older generations) It comes from an old forum's laughing emoji, which was number 233 in the sticker list. Extra 3s mean harder laughing: 2333333.
Rude words: recognize them, be careful using them
You'll hear these in movies, shows, and games. Learn them so you understand what's going on, but be slow to use them yourself. Swearing in a second language lands harder than you think, and it's easy to misjudge the room.
他妈的 (tāmāde): "damn" or "damn it." The most common all-purpose curse, dropped into sentences for emphasis.
傻逼 (shǎbī): a strong, genuinely offensive insult, roughly "idiot" but much harsher. Recognize it; avoid using it.
笨蛋 (bèndàn): "dummy" or "silly." Mild and often affectionate between friends and couples, like calling someone a goofball.
滚 (gǔn): "get lost," "go away." Literally "roll." Harsh when shouted, jokey between close friends.
A good rule: if you wouldn't say the English equivalent to your boss, don't say the Chinese one either.
How do you use Chinese slang without sounding weird?
Start by reading it, not saying it. Slang has a short shelf life and strong context rules, so watch where native speakers use each word first.
Safe starters for learners: 加油, 666, and 吃瓜. They're friendly, current, and hard to get wrong. Save 卧槽 and anything in the rude list for listening comprehension.
Frequently asked questions
What does 666 mean in Chinese?
It means "awesome" or "so skilled." 六 (liù, six) sounds like 溜 (liù), a slang word for smooth or skillful, so typing 666 is like cheering someone on.
What does yyds mean?
It's the pinyin initials of 永远的神 (yǒngyuǎn de shén), "eternal god." People use it like "the GOAT": 这家饭馆yyds means "this restaurant is the best ever."
Is it okay for learners to swear in Chinese?
Understand the words, but use them sparingly or not at all. Tone and context are hard to judge in a new language, and a misplaced 卧槽 can sour a conversation fast. Mild words like 笨蛋 among friends are the safe ceiling.
What is Chinese internet slang for laughing?
233 (and longer strings like 23333) means laughing but is a little outdated. hh or 哈哈哈 (hāhāhā) is the standard "hahaha." You'll also see xswl, short for 笑死我了 (xiào sǐ wǒ le), "I'm dying of laughter."
Want to decode real Chinese comments and chats on your own? Create a free Chenjin account to tap any word for an instant dictionary popup with audio, and save the slang you find as flashcards.
