Learn Chinese Through Memes: Top 5 Trending Phrases Want to truly understand modern Chinese culture and sound like a local? Just check out Chinese internet memes! Memes are a brilliant, fun, and super effective way to learn contemporary Chinese slang, cultural nuances, and the humour of the younger generation. They give you a real glimpse into how people actually talk, something textbooks just can't manage. So, today, let's dive headfirst into the world of Chinese memes and suss out the top 5 trending phrases you'll actually hear doing the rounds online!
Why Learn Chinese with Memes?
- Authenticity: Memes use genuine, up-to-the-minute language that native speakers chuck around every day.
- Context: They provide visual and cultural context, making it way easier to grasp tricky concepts or slang.
- Memorability: Humour and visuals really make these phrases stick in your noggin.
- Engagement: It's a ripper of a way to learn – heaps of fun and engaging, miles away from those dry textbook exercises.
Top 5 Trending Chinese Meme Phrases
1. YYDS (yǒng yuǎn de shén) – Forever God
- Meaning: An acronym for "永远的神" (yǒng yuǎn de shén), which literally means "forever god." It's used to express absolute admiration or give a massive shout-out to someone or something that's just incredibly ace, perfect, or legendary.
- Context: You'll spot this everywhere – for a ripper singer, a gun sports player, a top-notch feed, or even a super clever comment.
- Usage: When something truly blows your mind.
- Example: “这个游戏太好玩了，YYDS！” (Zhège yóuxì tài hǎowán le, YYDS!) – "This game is a cracker, YYDS! It's the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)!"
2. 绝绝子 (jué jué zǐ)
- Meaning: This phrase is thrown around to express really strong feelings, both good and bad, though you'll mostly hear it for praise. It's like saying "absolutely brilliant," "superb," "fantastic," or sometimes "absolutely shocking/hopeless."
- Context: You'll often hear young folks using this on social media platforms like Weibo or Douyin (TikTok). It's a proper emphatic way to get your opinion across.
- Usage: To show heaps of approval or disapproval.
- Example (Positive): “这件衣服太美了，绝绝子！” (Zhè jiàn yīfu tài měi le, jué jué zǐ!) – "This outfit is a stunner, 绝绝子! Absolutely stunning!"
- Example (Negative, less common): “这服务态度，绝绝子！” (Zhè fúwù tàidù, jué jué zǐ!) – "This service attitude, 绝绝子! Absolutely shocking!"
3. 栓Q (shuān Q)
- Meaning: This is a phonetic take on "Thank you" in English, but it's pretty much always used ironically or sarcastically to show you're chucking a wobbly, lost for words, or just plain fed up. It's basically saying "thanks for nothing" or "I'm absolutely done with this."
- Context: When someone's doing your head in, or a situation is frustratingly bad and you're stuck, but you can't do a thing about it.
- Usage: To convey total exasperation or ironic gratitude.
- Example: “老板让我周末加班，栓Q！” (Lǎobǎn ràng wǒ zhōumò jiābān, shuān Q!) – "My boss made me work overtime this weekend, 栓Q! Cheers for that (sarcastic)!"
4. EMO了 (EMO le)
- Meaning: Comes from the English word "emotional." It means you're feeling a bit down, melancholic, sad, or just generally a bit emotional.
- Context: Used to describe a bit of a low mood, often after watching a sad flick, listening to some emotional tunes, or hitting a minor snag.
- Usage: To express feeling emotional or a bit blue.
- Example: “今天下雨，听着歌有点EMO了。” (Jīntiān xiàyǔ, tīngzhe gē yǒudiǎn EMO le.) – "It's bucketing down today, listening to the music makes me feel a bit EMO."
5. 躺平 (tǎng píng)
- Meaning: Literally "lie flat." This phrase describes a whole lifestyle attitude of chucking in the towel on the rat race, not busting your guts for success, and instead choosing a low-key, low-stress, and low-cost way of living. It's a bit of a pushback against the intense pressure and competition (known as '内卷' - nèi juǎn).
- Context: Dead popular among young people who feel swamped by societal pressures and decide to opt out of the cut-throat competition.
- Usage: To express a desire for a chilled-out, non-competitive life.
- Example: “工作太累了，我只想躺平。” (Gōngzuò tài lèi le, wǒ zhǐ xiǎng tǎng píng.) – "Work's a real slog, I just wanna 躺平 (lie flat/take it easy)."
How to Use Them in Your Chinese Learning:
- Observe: Keep an eye on how native speakers use these phrases across Chinese social media, short videos, and online comments.
- Practice: Have a go at chucking them into your own chats with language partners or in online conversations.
- Understand the Nuance: Don't forget that context is crucial. These phrases often carry specific emotional vibes.
Learning Chinese via memes is a dynamic and bloody enjoyable way to stay on top of the language and really get a feel for the pulse of modern Chinese society. Happy meme-ing!