So, you’ve fled TikTok and found yourself on RedNote or other alternative platforms, only to be hit with a barrage of unfamiliar Chinese slang that makes zero sense. Don’t panic! Chinese netizens are meme geniuses, constantly inventing new phrases that evolve faster than your FYP.

If you want to blend in and fully enjoy the experience, you need to master these viral expressions. Here’s a 2025 crash course on the hottest Chinese internet slang – so you won’t be lost in the comment section!

💼 Work Life: Embracing the Struggle

🚜 牛马 (Cattle & Horses)

A metaphor for overworked and underpaid employees—because let’s be real, corporate life often feels like being treated like farm animals.

🐟 摸鱼 (Touching Fish)

A poetic way of saying slacking off at work. It’s like “quiet quitting,” but sneakier.

🔥 一身班味 (Smells Like Work)

Describes the exhaustion that lingers after a workday, as if stress has physically stuck to you.

😩 班味 (Corporate Flavor)

The transformation from a fun, energetic person into a soulless, tired adult thanks to work.

💀 灵活就业 (Flexibly Employed)

A fancy way of saying you’re unemployed—but pretending it’s a choice.

💘 Dating & Attraction: Expressing the Feels

💕 Crush

Yep, the English word Crush has replaced poetic Chinese phrases to describe instant attraction.

🧲 被硬控了 (Hard-Controlled)

Describes an intense, irresistible attraction—as if you’ve lost control over your emotions.

🙅 性缩力 (Sexual Shrinkage)

The opposite of attraction. Someone is so not your type that it’s almost repelling.

💸 ××搭子 (Activity Buddy)

Refers to a partner for specific activities, like a 饭搭子 (meal buddy) or 旅游搭子 (travel buddy). Can sometimes imply that one person is unknowingly footing the bill.

📱 Internet & Pop Culture: Meme Essentials

🕵️ 偷感很重 (Sneaky Vibes Are Strong)

Used when someone is being lowkey about something, either to avoid attention or to protect their confidence.

📹 Vlog

Now used as a general term for documenting everyday life, even in text form.

🚩 Flag

Raising a Flag means making a bold claim or goal that will probably fail, like saying you’ll hit the gym every day (but giving up in a week).

🔴 红温 (Red Temperature)

Describes getting so emotionally worked up that your face turns red, whether from anger, embarrassment, or frustration.

🤣 搞抽象 (Going Abstract)

Refers to acting ridiculously absurd or nonsensical, often as a way to cope with reality.

🌎 city不city (City or Not City?)

A meme phrase questioning whether something is trendy or modern.

⚡ 包××的 (Guaranteed Success)

A confident way of saying something is 100% going to happen, like “It’s a done deal.”

🧠 Social & Psychological Expressions

🖤 Emo

Instead of saying sad or heartbroken, just go with Emo. Short, effective, and globally understood.

🙏 拴Q (Shuan Q)

A meme pronunciation of Thank You, used humorously or sarcastically.

😨 社恐 (Socially Afraid)

Refers to being socially anxious or awkward, way more dramatic than just “introverted.”

🎤 社牛 (Social Cow)

The opposite of 社恐—someone who’s super outgoing and thrives in social situations.

🎭 How to Use These Memes Like a Pro on RedNote

✅ Learn Basic Context – Some memes are best used in specific situations. Don’t overuse them!

✅ Follow Popular Creators – They shape the latest slang trends, so their comment sections are goldmines.

✅ Join the Conversation – See how other users apply these phrases in real-time.

✅ Stay Curious – Slang evolves quickly, and what’s cool today might be outdated next month.

With these premium meme words in your arsenal, you’re now ready to conquer RedNote like a true internet insider.

Now go forth, 摸鱼 (slack off) and enjoy your new city不city online life! 🚀