Chinese netizens love using letter-based slang in their chats, or in comments on social media posts.

Today let's learn eight must-know internet slang terms that are popular in Chinese online culture.

Eight internet slang abbreviations

01. XSWL

"XSWL" or 笑死我了(xiào sǐ wǒ le) can most accurately be translated as "laughing myself to death".

笑死我了

xiào sǐ wǒ le

XSWL; laughing myself to death

Literally "to laugh-die-I-le"

How to use it

XSWL is the Chinese equivalent of "LOL" and is used to indicate that something is hilariously funny:

这个帖子好搞笑, xswl!

zhè ge tiě zi hǎo gǎo xiào, xswl!

This post is so funny, xswl!

02. YYDS

YYDS, or 永远的神 (yǒng yuǎn de shén) means "eternal God" and describes an outstanding person or thing.

永远的神

yǒng yuǎn de shén

YYDS; outstanding person or thing

Literally "eternal-God"

How to use it

YYDS is similar to the saying GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in English. People often use it to describe someone or something that is the best and will always be revered. It's often used to praise celebrities, or sports stars.

周杰伦的音乐YYDS!

zhōu jié lún de yīn yuè YYDS!

Jay Chou's music is the GOAT!

03. ZQSG

"ZQSG" or 真情实感 (zhēn qíng shí gǎn) stands for "true feelings and genuine emotions."

真情实感

zhēn qíng shí gǎn

ZQSG; emotionally touching situation

Literally "true-feelings"

How to use it

This term is used when someone expresses genuine emotions; it's often seen in fan communities discussing their favorite stars or shows.

《繁花》这部电视剧太zqsg了！

"fán huā" zhè bù diàn shì jù tài zqsg le!

The series Blossoms Shanghai is so zqsg!

04. WML

我没了 (wǒ méi le), which translates to "I can't handle it," is a common slang expression among netizens.

我没了

wǒ méi le

WML; I can't handle it

Literally "I-cease to exist"

How to use it

WML is used when encountering something or someone so beautiful that it leaves you speechless.

她穿的衣服太美了, wml!

tā chuān de yī fu tài měi le, wml!

The clothes she wears are so beautiful, wml!

05. NSDD

NSDD, or 你是对的(nǐ shì duì de) is widely used in online chats and text messages and it's a quick way to agree with what has been said before.

你是对的

nǐ shì duì de

NSDD; What you said is right

Literally "you-are-right"

How to use it

After a heavy rain, the air turns cool and pleasant. Here's how to say it in Chinese:

Nsdd, 我们该早点出发。

Nsdd, wǒ men gāi zǎo diǎn chū fā.

Nsdd, we should leave early.

06. 栓Q

栓Q (shuān q) is a popular internet term that mimics the sound of the English phrase "thank you" using Chinese characters.

栓Q

shuān q

shuan q; thank you

Note

"栓Q" became popular after Liu Tao, a farmer from Yangshuo, in Guilin province, used it in a funny video introducing the local scenery.

The video ended with "welcome to Guilin, welcome to Yangshuo, thank you" and the funny pronunciation quickly became a popular meme online.

07. BDJW

不懂就问 (bù dǒng jiù wèn) is a useful phrase for asking a question when chatting. It's similar to saying "just curious" or "let me ask" in English.

不懂就问

bù dǒng jiù wèn

BDJW; let me ask

Literally "don't-understand-just-ask"

How to use it

You can use BDJW to ask questions without hesitation:

Bdjw, 这道菜是怎么做的？

Bdjw, zhè dào cài shì zěn me zuò de?

Bdjw, how is this dish made?

08. 芭比Q了

芭比Q了 (bā bǐ q le) is a homophone for "barbecue" and it's often used to describe situations where someone is in trouble, has failed, or is metaphorically "roasted."

芭比Q了

bā bǐ q le

to screw up

Note

This phrase gained popularity from a video game stream by a Chinese Doyin creator - after being killed by an enemy he yelled:

完了，完了，芭比Q了!

wán le, wán le, bā bǐ q le!

I'm finished, destroyed, BBQ'ed!

Literally "done-done-barbecued"

 

Source: That's Mandarin