This is part 7 of a 10 part series in which you'll learn a total of 100 Mandarin Chinese slang words and expressions!
How do you say that a person is “cheeky” or “playfully naughty”? And when would you refer to someone as being "皮" (pí)" (lit. “skin” or “leather”)?
These are some of the popular expressions we'll cover in this part of my Chinese slang series.
Let's get started!
Summary Of Chinese Slang: Essential Phrases for Everyday Conversations
Our first slang word is “土豪 (tǔ háo)”. "土豪" (tǔ háo) is often used to describe someone who is wealthy and likes to show off their wealth. It's similar to the English expression "nouveau riche." The term is made up of two characters: "土" (tǔ), which means "earth" or "local" and "豪" (háo), which means "grand" or "luxurious".
The term "土豪" (tǔ háo) originally referred to local tyrants or landlords in rural China who had significant wealth and power. Over time, the meaning has evolved to describe people who have recently acquired wealth and like to flaunt it.
Now, let's look at an example of how to use "土豪" (tǔ háo) in a conversation.
Example:
A: 你看那个人，戴着金链子，穿着名牌衣服。(nǐ kàn nà gè rén, dài zhe jīn liàn zi, chuān zhe míng pái yī fu.)
B: 哇，真土豪！(wa, zhēn tǔ háo!)
A: Look at that person wearing a gold chain and designer clothes.
B: Wow, such a nouveau riche!
Next up is "瞎 (xiā)". "瞎" (xiā) literally means "blind" in Chinese. However, when used as slang, it's often used to describe something done carelessly or randomly. It can also be used to express disbelief or disagreement with someone's actions or decisions.
Here’s an example of how to use "瞎" (xiā) in everyday conversation.
Example:
A: 他昨天瞎买了一堆东西。(tā zuó tiān xiā mǎi le yī duī dōng xi.)
B: 真的吗？他买了什么？(zhēn de ma? tā mǎi le shén me?)
A: He randomly bought a bunch of stuff yesterday.
B: Really? What did he buy?
Our third slang word is "逗比 (dòu bǐ)" . "逗比" (dòu bǐ) is used to describe someone who is funny or entertaining. It's a lighthearted term that can be used to compliment someone's sense of humor or ability to make others laugh. The term is made up of two characters: "逗" (dòu), which means to tease or amuse , and "比" (bǐ), which is an informal way to refer to a person.
Host: Now, let's look at an example of how to use "逗比" (dòu bǐ) in a conversation.
Example:
A: 你听过小明的笑话吗？他太逗比了！(nǐ tīng guò xiǎo míng de xiào huà ma? tā tài dòu bǐ le!)
B: 是啊，每次听他讲笑话都忍不住笑。(shì a, měi cì tīng tā jiǎng xiào huà dōu rěn bú zhù xiào.)
A: Have you heard Xiao Ming's jokes? He's so funny!
B: Yeah, I can't help but laugh every time I hear his jokes.
Our fourth slang word is "屌丝 (diǎo sī)". "屌丝" (diǎo sī) is used by a male to describe himself as a loser or underachiever. It's a combination of two characters: "屌" (diǎo), which is a vulgar term for male genitalia, and "丝" (sī), which means "silk" or "thread". The term implies that the person is at the bottom of society, lacking in wealth, status, or attractiveness.
Now, here’s how "屌丝" (diǎo sī) could be used in conversation.
Example 1:
A: 他总是抱怨自己是个屌丝。(tā zǒng shì bào yuàn zì jǐ shì gè diǎo sī.)
B: 别这么说，每个人都有自己的优点。(bié zhè me shuō, měi gè rén dōu yǒu zì jǐ de yōu diǎn.)
A: He always complains about being a loser.
B: Don't say that, everyone has their own strengths.
The fifth slang word is "闺蜜 (guī mì)". The term "闺蜜" (guī mì) is used to describe a close female friend or best friend. It's a combination of two characters: "闺" (guī), which means "private room", and "蜜" (mì), which means "honey" or "sweet". The term implies a sweet and intimate friendship between two women, similar to the English term "bestie" or "BFF".
Now, let's look at an example of how to use "闺蜜" (guī mì) in conversation.
Example:
A: 我的闺蜜明天要来看我。(wǒ de guī mì míng tiān yào lái kàn wǒ.)
B: 真好！你们一定会度过一个愉快的周末。(zhēn hǎo! nǐ men yí dìng huì dù guò yī gè yú kuài de zhōu mò.)
A: My best friend is coming to visit me tomorrow.
B: That's great! You two will definitely have a fun weekend.
At number six, we have "灯泡 dēng pào". "灯泡" (dēng pào) literally means "light bulb" in Chinese. However, when used as slang, it refers to a person who unintentionally becomes a "third wheel" or "gooseberry" in a social situation, especially when accompanying a couple. The term implies that the person is an unwanted presence, casting a "light" on the couple's intimate moments.
So, how do you use "灯泡" (dēngpào) in conversation? Here’s an example.
Example:
A: 昨天晚上我和他们一起出去吃饭，感觉自己像个灯泡。(zuó tiān wǎn shang wǒ hé tā men yī qǐ chū qù chī fàn, gǎn jué zì jǐ xiàng gè dēng pào.)
B: 下次他们约会，你就别去了。(xià cì tā men yuē huì, nǐ jiù bié qù le.)
A: Last night, I went out to dinner with them and felt like a third wheel.
B: Next time they go on a date, you should just not go.
At number seven, we have "剁手 (duò shǒu)". "剁手" (duò shǒu) is a phrase often used by online shoppers to express their desire to stop spending money on unnecessary items. It's a combination of two characters: "剁" (duò), which means "to chop" or "to cut" , and "手" (shǒu), which means "hand". The term implies that the person would rather chop off their hand than continue spending money on shopping.
Now, let's look at an example of how to use "剁手" (duò shǒu) in conversation.
Example:
A: 我最近网购太多了，我要剁手！(wǒ zuì jìn wǎng gòu tài duō le, wǒ yào duò shǒu!)
B: 是时候节制一下了。(shì shí hou jié zhì yī xià le.)
A: I've been shopping online too much lately, I need to chop off my hand!
B: It's time to control yourself.
Our eighth slang word is "皮 (pí) ". "皮" (pí) literally means "skin" or "leather" in Chinese. However, when used as slang, it refers to someone who is cheeky or playfully naughty. The term is often used to describe someone who likes to make jokes or tease others in a lighthearted manner.
Take a look at this example of how to use "皮" (pí) in conversation.
Example:
A: 你为什么总是这么皮？(nǐ wèi shé me zǒng shì zhè me pí?)
B: 我觉得生活需要一点幽默。(wǒ jué de shēng huó xū yào yī diǎn yōu mò.)
A: Why are you always so cheeky?
B: I think life needs a bit of humor.
At number nine, we have "网红 (wǎng hóng)". The term "网红" (wǎng hóng) is a combination of two characters: "网" (wǎng), which means "internet" or "web" , and "红" (hóng), which means "red" or "popular". The term refers to internet celebrities or influencers who have gained fame and popularity through social media platforms.
Let's look at an example of how to use "网红" (wǎng hóng).
Example:
A: 你知道这个网红吗？她的视频很受欢迎。(nǐ zhī dào zhè ge wǎng hóng ma? tā de shì pín hěn shòu huān yíng.)
B: 是的，我关注了她的频道，她的内容很有趣。(shì de, wǒ guān zhù le tā de pín dào, tā de nèi róng hěn yǒu qù.)
A: Do you know this internet celebrity? Her videos are very popular.
B: Yes, I follow her channel, her content is very interesting.
#10
At number ten, we have "月光族 yuè guāng zú". "月光族" (yuè guāng zú) is a combination of three characters: "月" (yuè), which means "month"， "光" (guāng), which means "light" or "shine", and "族" (zú), which means "group" or "tribe". The term refers to people who spend their entire monthly salary before the end of the month, leaving them with little or no savings.
So, how do you use "月光族" (yuè guāng zú) in conversation? Let’s take a look:
Example:
A: 我发现我已经成为月光族了，每个月都花光了工资。(wǒ fā xiàn wǒ yǐ jīng chéng wéi yuè guāng zú le, měi gè yuè dōu huā guāng le gōng zī.)
B: 你应该学会理财。(nǐ yīng gāi xué huì lǐ cái.)
A: I found out that I've become part of the "moonlight tribe", spending my entire salary every month.
B: You should learn to manage your finances.
Host: Alright, we've reached the end of our journey through these 10 popular slang terms!
So let's finish with a quick recap!:
1. 土豪 (tǔ háo) - to describe someone who is wealthy and likes to show off their wealth
2. 瞎 (xiā) - to describe something done carelessly or randomly
3. 逗比 (dòu bǐ) - to describe someone who is funny or entertaining
4. 屌丝 (diǎo sī) - to describe himself as a loser or underachiever
5. 闺蜜 (guī mì) - to describe a close female friend or best friend
6. 灯泡 (dēng pào) - refers to a person who unintentionally becomes a "third wheel" or "gooseberry" in a social situation
7. 剁手 (duò shǒu) - a phrase often used by online shoppers to express their desire to stop spending money on unnecessary items
8. 皮 (pí) - refers to someone who is cheeky or playfully naughty
9. 网红 (wǎng hóng) - refers to internet celebrities or influencers
10.月光族 (yuè guāng zú) - refers to people who spend their entire monthly salary before the end of the month
Remember, practice makes progress, so try and use some of these terms in your conversations!
If you have questions or suggestions for future videos, please let me know!
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