China's top internet buzzwords of 2022
25 hot online words, phrases and memes from this year
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Chinese language is unique in how it absorbs and repurposes content and ideas.
This is especially true for internet language, or 网络用语 wǎngluò yòngyǔ.
Internet slang, or buzzwords are known as ‘hot terms’ (热词 rè cí), or 梗 gěng in Chinese.
A 梗 gěng is:
A joke, implied meaning, or word with specific, allusive, or ironic connotations.
笑点、伏笔，或是有特别指涉含意或讽刺意涵的东西
A 梗 gěng is any word, phrase, meme or video that becomes a viral or ‘hot’ term on social media and the internet.
The word 梗 gěng is a misnomer. The correct character is 哏 gén. The ‘incorrect’ pronunciation began in Taiwan’s entertainment world years ago and has since stuck and become widely used.
Every year, new expressions which started out as 梗 gěng in the internet subconsciously infiltrate modern daily language.
In 2022, hundreds of new words and phrases have come into use which did not exist last year, while some previous ‘hot’ terms have fallen away (such as YYDS).
Earlier this month, as an annual tradition, Language and Character Weekly (语言文字周报) published a top ten list of Chinese internet slang and buzzwords from 2022.
Another publication, Word Media (字媒体 zì méi tǐ), a Wechat-based blog analysing language trends in China, collated a longer list of 100 hot internet words and phrases of 2022.
So in this special issue of Slow Chinese, we’ve complied a list of 25 top internet words from 2022, from the top 10 words published by Language and Character Weekly and another 15 words from the longer list.
It’s a fascinating (ok, and a very nerdy) journey into how modern Chinese language evolves, reflects society’s changes, influences how people express themselves, and think and talk about the world around them.
The 梗 gěng in this list began life in the most unexpected places:
American movies, computer games, and pop culture, the English language more broadly, Chinglish variations of it, and Chinese dialects and regional languages;
Movies, music, TV shows, documentaries, and novels from Hong Kong, Taiwan as well as the Mainland;
Food, festivals, marketing campaigns, and sports;
Original content and comments on Douyin, Weibo and other social media platforms.
Enjoy!
The Top 10 of 2022
1. 栓Q shuān q
thank you (sarcastic)
我真的栓Q - I'm so grateful. Thank you [not].
Background: From a Douyin blogger, Liú Tāo 刘涛, a tour guide from Guangxi, who in a video says ‘thank you’ in heavily accented English. His pronunciation sounds more like the Chinese character, 'shuān 栓', with the English letter, 'Q'. Online, it’s morphed into a way to sarcastically say ‘thank you (but not)', expressing annoyance.
Related: Other phrases with the same sarcastic tone:
我真的会谢 wǒ zhēn de huì xiè - I really thank you so very much (NOT)
我真的会蟹 wǒ zhēn de huì xiè - I really crab you (crab is same sound as thank you)
听我说谢谢你 tīng wǒ shuō xiè xiè nǐ - I say: thank you (not)
Note: The title of a song by Lǐ Xīnróng 李昕融
2. PUA
to be deceived or brainwashed
PUA自己你是高手 - You are a master at deceiving yourself [that everything’s ok]
Background: PUA is from American English phrase, ‘pick-up artist’. In Chinese internet slang, the acronym has a much broader: to be ‘brainwashed’ or ‘deceived'. It's used in the context of relationships, family, or work, with people often 'PUA-ing' themselves.
Related: Other acronyms used to mean ‘deceived’ or ‘brainwashed’, normally in the passive voice (被 bèi) include:
CPU - ‘central processing unit’ = to be brainwashed. A Chinese actress mistakenly said CPU instead of PUA in an interview. Netizens liked it so it stuck.
ICU - ‘intensive care unit’ = overworked to death, a reference to 996 culture.
KTV = ‘to be fired’ (被开除了 bèi kāi chú le). It’s a nod to how live-streamer, Lǐ Gàn 李赣, invites his co-workers to KTV before firing them.
3. 冤种 yuān zhǒng
someone who is taken advantage of
可那时的我，却不知道自己早已踏上了“冤种”之路 - At that time I did not realise I was already on my way to losing all my money.
Background: Originally from a north eastern dialect, this phrase is now mainstream, meaning someone who’s lost out because of their own stupidity or innocence. It could also be translated as 'unlucky fool'.
Related:
大冤种 dà yuān zhǒng - lose out in a big way, ‘big loser’
职场大冤种 zhí chǎng dà yuān zhǒng - someone who is taken advantage of in the workplace
4. 小镇做题家 xiǎo zhèn zuò tí jiā
small town test taker
看了舆论才知道，原来我们这种努力学习，以求考上更好的学校，获得更好生活的人，叫做‘小镇做题家’ - After reading the comments, I realised that people like us who work hard in order to get into a good university and have a better life are known as ‘small town test takers’.
Background: ‘Small town test taker’ is someone from the countryside who’s good at taking exams, getting into top universities, but lacks life experience. In July, the singer Jackson Yee landed a cushy job at the National Theatre of China. An article in China Newsweek suggested he was simply more talented and better qualified than ‘small town test takers’. Since then, the phrase has taken on a new meaning: people who don’t have money, fame, or network, against whom the system is rigged.
5. 团长 tuán zhǎng
regimental commander; leader; pandemic group-buy leaders
那一代催生出的“团长”大多是社区周边临街的夫妻杂货店，他们的任务是负责拉群发广告，然后把街边店作为团购自提点 - Most of the 'group leaders' from that time were mom and pop grocery store oweners in the community. Their task was to publish advertisements in Wechat groups, and then use the street stores as self-collection points for group buying.
Background: Originally a military term, it’s also an informal way to say ‘boss’ or 'group leader'. During pandemic lockdowns shops were closed. Some people in local communities organised group buying (团购 tuán gòu) as a solution to help secure products for their neighbours. They became affectionately known as 团长 tuán zhǎng, ‘group buying leaders’.
6. 退！退！退！tuì tuì tuì
retreat! back off; be gone!
疫情要“退退退”，坏人也要“退退退”，霉运更要“退退退” - Pandemic: Retreat! Retreat! Retreat! Bad people: Retreat! Retreat! Retreat! Bad luck: Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!
Background: From a video clip on Douyin which went viral in May this year. It shows an intense altercation between a man who wanted to park his car, and a stall owner who was using the space to sell her wares. She wards him off, yelling repeatedly the word ‘Retreat!’ with actions reminiscent of exorcising evil spirits. In recent weeks, the meme has become popular on Douyin with people channelling the woman’s powers to exorcise the virus from China. Read more in this week’s Phrase of the Week.
7. 嘴替 zuǐ tì
mouth substitute
互联网嘴替，就是在互联网上，替我们把心里话说出来的网友们，堪称神仙网友 - Internet mouth substitutes are internet users who voice what is on our minds. They are the best online friends you can ask for.
Background: A ‘mouth substitute’ is a person who articulates what netizens want to say but can’t because they’re worried about getting it wrong, caught out by censors, or not expressing themselves well. 'Mouth substitutes' can communicate eloquently their complaints for them, having the courage to speak out and express the concerns of the many.
Related:
互联网嘴替 hù lián wǎng zuǐ tì - Internet mouth substitute
8. 一种很新的东西 yī zhǒng hěn xīn de dōng xi
a new type of thing; no idea what you mean
你在玩一种很新的东西 - This is too post-modern. (= I have no idea what you are trying say/do.)
Background: From a viral comment on Douyin earlier in the year about a song that was too busy and difficult to understand. As a meme and internet slang, it’s a sarcastic criticism expressing confusion when things over-complicated.
9. 服了你个老六 fú le nǐ ge lǎo liù
a surprise attack
这个老六我真的服了 - I can't believe you did that!
Background: From the computer game, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, a team game with five players on each side. Teams can cheat adding a sixth player in hiding, waiting for the opportune moment to launch a surprise attack. In internet language it's levelled at someone who has won unfairly, or done something underhanded.
10. 刺客 cì kè
assassin
“雪糕刺客”也随即在各大社交平台被网友热议 - ‘Ice-cream assassins’ have been hotly discussed by netizens on all major platforms.
Background: 刺客 cì kè means ‘assassin’. The phrase, ‘ice-cream assassin’, became popular in July this year as expensive high-end ice-creams priced at over RMB 60 were sold in the same freezers as 5-yuan ones. As a result, many consumers were caught-out, their wallets 'assassinated', when they came to pay. We first looked at this newly coined phrase in 16 July newsletter.
Related:
机票刺客 jī piào cì kè - flight ticket assassins
演出刺客 yǎn chū cì kè - show assassins
Other important phrases of 2022
Here is a further 15 internet phrases and words from this year selected from the top 100 internet buzzwords by 字媒体, divided into three categories:
Life in China
From China's entertainment world
Top memes and phrases from Douyin
Life in China
11. 科技与狠活 kē jì yǔ hěn huó
technology and filthy work
“科技与狠活”一词火了起来，成了海天味业及其他工业食品的标签 - ‘Technology and filthy work’, a term trending on social media, has become a negative label for Haitian and other food products.
Background: 'Technology and filthy work’ is a euphemism for food additives. In October this year a Douyin blogger exposed China's largest soy sauce brand for having one recipe for international markets, and another for the China market. The product for Chinese consumption was packed full of preservatives.
Related:
海克斯科技 hǎi kè sī kē jì - Hex technology
12. 二舅 èr jiù
second uncle; an inspirational person who has suffered hardship
二舅治好了我的精神内耗 - My second uncle has cured my mental anxieties.
Background: ‘Second uncle’ 二舅 èr jiù was the star of a 10-minute film portraying the life of a vlogger’s disabled resilient and resourceful uncle. 'Second uncle' can now mean anyone, usually disabled, who has overcome adversity and succeeded.
Related:
精神内耗 jīng shén nèi hào - mental anxieties; anxious state of mind
13. 天选打工人 tiān xuǎn dǎ gōng rén
the chosen workers
最近几天，“天选打工人”象象上班好像玩狼人杀，都有“阳”同事“消失” - In recent days, going to work for the 'blessed' worker Xiang Xiang, who hasn't got covid, is like playing Werewolf - her co-workers who tested positive are gradually disappearing.
Background: This zero COVID era phrase became popular at the end of the Labour Day holiday. On returning to their offices, employees who were able to get to their offices, and not be quarantined, were described as 'blessed workers'. Since the zero COVID policy was dropped, it now means people who haven't yet tested positive.
Related:
晒阳 shài yáng - share your positive test result on social media
神雕侠侣 shén diāo xiá lǚ - The Legend of the Condor Heroes, a wuxia novel by Luis Cha 金庸. Names of three characters from the novel, Yáng Guò 杨过, Yáng Kāng 杨康, and Wáng Chóngyáng 王重阳, have taken on new meaning:
杨过 Yáng Guò = someone who has got Covid (阳过)
杨康 Yáng Kāng = someone who has recovered (阳康)
王重阳 Wáng Chóngyáng = someone who has got Covid more than one time (重阳)
14. 00后整顿职场 líng líng hòu zhěng dùn zhí chǎng
Gen Z rights the wrongs of the workplace
只有我们00后在整顿职场。工作一年仲裁4家公司，告倒闭两家，我就是我，不一样的烟火 - Only we post-00s are righting the wrongs of the workplace. After working for one year, I have taken four companies to arbitration court, and two shut down as a result. I am who I am.
Background: University graduates born after the year 2000 have started to enter the workforce in China. They have a different idea about what is acceptable when it comes to overtime, drinking culture and other unhealthy aspects of the Chinese work culture. This phrase was a trending topic on social media in summer with young people sharing stories of how they 'rectified' the company culture of their employers.
Related:
我就是我，不一样的烟火 is a famous line from Leslie Cheung’s (张国荣) song, Me (我), often quoted to express one’s individuality.
15. 疯狂星期四 fēng kuáng xīng qī sì
Crazy Thursdays
“疯四文学”这场网络狂欢最重要的意义，莫过于让肯德基造节成功，使无数人每到星期四这一天，就想起了肯德基疯狂星期四的存在 - KFC’s online extravaganza, 'Crazy Thursdays', has become a huge success for the brand in China. Now whenever it's Thursday people automatically think of KFC.
Background: KFC’s online marketing campaign 'Crazy Thursdays' was so successful that it became an internet slang phrase in its own right. Every Thursday they offer discounts in restaurants across China, encouraging customers to share images of their bargains online. It now means to go out and have a great time on Thursdays - usually shopping, eating or drinking.
Related:
疯四文学 - Crazy Thursday memes
16. 炫 xuàn
eat; stuff yourself
炫我嘴里 - Eat it in my mouth
Background: xuàn means 'eat' or 'stuff yourself full' in a northern Chinese dialect. It's crossed over into Mandarin after becoming a trending topic at Chinese New Year, with people saying they were looking forward to stuffing their faces during the holidays.
Related:
炫砂糖橘 xuàn shā táng jú - stuffing myself with tangerines (a popular meme around Chinese new year)
炫饭 xuàn fàn - stuffing myself
17. 一整个…住 yī zhěng ge [...] zhù
to be totally …d
我一整个爱住了 - I'm totally in love.
Background: A combination of two Chinese grammar structures: ‘一整个…’, and ‘…住’. Together, they emphasise an emotion. Its early use was to express positive emotions such as: 'I love you so much' (一整个爱住你). But further iterations express confusion: 'I'm totally speechless' (一整个无语住).
Entertainment
18. 我的眼睛就是尺 wǒ de yǎnjīng jiùshì chǐ
my eyes are my measure; I can see it with my own eyes
肯定赢了，首金诞生了！我的眼睛就是尺，不用看回放了！- She's definitely won! It's our first gold! My eyes are sharp, so there's no need to watch the replay!
Background: When the Chinese short track speed skating mixed relay team won the first gold medal for China in the Beijing Winter Olympics the excited commentary as the winning athlete crossed the finish line by former olympian, Wang Meng 王蒙, became a viral meme and online hit.
19. 刘耕宏女孩儿 Liú Gēnghóng nǚ hái'r
Liu Genghong girls
如果你在每天晚上打开朋友圈，至少一半的女性好友都变身了“刘畊宏女孩” - If you check your social media feed every evening, you’ll see that at least half of your female friends have become ‘Liu Genghong girls’.
Background: A little known Taiwanese actor Liú Gēnghóng 刘畊宏 (Will Liu) became an internet sensation during the Shanghai lockdown in April. He broadcast 90-minute work-out sessions from his apartment in Shanghai with his wife every weekday evening and Saturday morning on Douyin.
Related:
反差萌 fǎn chā méng - cute contrast
20. 怎么能不算呢 zěn me néng bù suàn ne
how can it not be?
你觉得自己算是天赋型演员吗？一般来说遇到这样的问题就算是影帝也要谦虚一下，结果刘浩存说：嗯…怎么不算呢 - The jounalist asked Liu Haocun if she felt she had a natural talent for acting. Generally, when asked this question even an Oscar winner would normally have responded modestly, but instead she asked: 'Well, how can I not have?'
Background: In an interview on CCTV in March, Chinese actress Liú Hàocún 刘浩存 was asked if she thought she had a gift for acting. Rather than respond with the usual Chinese modesty, she instead asked the question: 'Why would I not have?' It became a viral meme, criticising someone who is annoyingly overconfident.
21. 那你报警吧 nà nǐ bào jǐng ba
well, call the police then
当网友们不想跟别人争论时就说：那怎么办，要不你报警吧 - When netizens don't want to argue with each other anymore, they say: ‘So, what are you going to do? Why don't you call the police?’
Background: First appeared in an online spat between fans of two members of the girl group, The Bonbon Girls (硬糖少女303). The fans of the 'winning' group used this one liner, which apparently left the other lot unable to find a good comeback. It's now a lazy phrase to disagree with someone while not providing any reasoning, or to put a stop to conversations with frothing angry social media users.
22. 人生无常大肠包小肠 rén shēng wú cháng dà cháng bāo xiǎo cháng
Life is impermanent, the large intestine wraps the small intestine; life is short
人生无常大肠包小肠的意思是：人生如戏，今天相见，明天挂墙 - The sentence, 'life is impermanent' means: life is like a play, maybe you'll be here today and gone tomorrow.
Background: From the Chinese (Taiwan) subtitles of the American movie, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (海绵宝宝大电影：海绵出水). The final line in the film in English is: 'Well, it was fun while it lasted'. The Chinese subtitles translated as: 'Life is impermanent, the large intestine wraps the small intestine'. This Chinglish phrase has become popular with netizens to mean: 'You never know what will happen next’.
Douyin memes and viral phrases
23. 芭比Q了 bā bī q le
barbecue; finished
完了，你芭比Q了 - Oh dear, you're finished.
Background: 芭比Q了sounds the same as the English, ‘barbecue’. It means 'you're finished' in Chinese (same as 完蛋了 wán dàn le). It's originally from a 2021 song called, 完了完了完了 芭比Q了 by Douyin blogger, Dèng Jiāzhōng 邓家忠.
24. 浅尝一下吧 qiǎn cháng yī xià ba
shallow try little; try it out
出自抖音的一些搞笑视频，原句是：浅尝一下吧 - It came from some funny videos from Douyin. The original sentence is: Let’s have a taste.
Background: First coined by Douyin blogger, Guo Yu 郭语, it’s now a popular phrase on Douyin; a jokey way to persuade someone to try something.
Related:
浅试一下 qiǎn shì yī xià - let’s give it a try
浅听一下 qiǎn tīng yī xià - let’s have a listen
25. 我是云南的 wǒ shì yún nán de
I'm from Yunnan
“我是云南的”是一首洗脑的喊麦歌曲，由于该歌曲歌词非常洗脑上头，再加上喊麦小伙一头飘逸的长发随节奏舞动，给人留下非常深的印象 - 'I'm from Yunnan' is the name of a song which promotes Yunnan. The lyrics were really addictive, and the singer was also quite memorable because his floppy hair seems to dance with the music.
Background: A song written and performed by a member of the Lisu ethnic minority (傈僳族 lìsù zú) in Nujiang, Yunnan, became an internet sensation in May. The 30 second clip, with its addictive tune, entertaining singer, and funny lyrics, led to many people to agree: the first time you listen to it, it's terrible; the second time, it's not bad; the third time, it's actually quite good; the fourth time: I'm from Yunnan too! Internet users have created new songs about how to say different words in different dialects and sectors, such as Bitcoin lingo.
I’ve intentionally left this one to the end so you can have a listen and try to create your own version!
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