Popular Internet Abbreviations And Meanings In Chinese
Read Chinese chats faster with 中文网络缩写 zhōngwén wǎngluò suōxiě, number slang, fandom shorthand, and the kind of comments that look like keyboard soup until they suddenly don’t.
Chinese internet slang moves fast, loves shortcuts, and has absolutely no patience for long typing. Fair enough. Once you learn the common patterns, though, a lot of the mystery disappears.
This guide teaches the abbreviations and slang you will actually see in comments, chats, fan communities, and shopping apps. Every key item comes with Hanzi, pinyin, meaning, and a real example sentence, so you can stop staring at YYDS like it is a Wi-Fi password.
A Fast Reality Check
Not every online shortcut is good Chinese for school, work, or your boss. Some are playful, some are super casual, and some are best left in comment sections where they belong. The internet is efficient like that. Slightly feral, but efficient.
Visual Cards For The Most Useful Terms
YYDS
永远的神 yǒngyuǎn de shén
the GOAT, unbelievably good
XSWL
笑死我了 xiào sǐ wǒ le
I’m dying of laughter
DBQ
对不起 duìbuqǐ
sorry
NSDD
你说得对 nǐ shuō de duì
you’re right
666
溜溜溜 liù liù liù
awesome, slick, impressive
520
我爱你 wǒ ài nǐ
I love you
CP
配对 pèiduì
pairing, ship
吃瓜
吃瓜 chī guā
watching the drama as a bystander
Useful Phrases And Real-Life Sentences
YYDS — 永远的神 yǒngyuǎn de shén — the GOAT, unbelievably good
这家小店真是YYDS。
Zhè jiā xiǎo diàn zhēn shì YYDS.
This little shop is seriously the best.
XSWL — 笑死我了 xiào sǐ wǒ le — I’m dying of laughter
你这个评论真的XSWL。
Nǐ zhège pínglùn zhēnde XSWL.
Your comment is killing me.
DBQ — 对不起 duìbuqǐ — sorry
我回晚了，DBQ。
Wǒ huí wǎn le, DBQ.
I replied late, sorry.
NSDD — 你说得对 nǐ shuō de duì — you’re right
这件事上我觉得NSDD。
Zhè jiàn shì shàng wǒ juéde NSDD.
On this point, I think you’re right.
U1S1 — 有一说一 yǒu yī shuō yī — honestly speaking
U1S1，这家餐厅还不错。
U1S1, zhè jiā cāntīng hái búcuò.
Honestly, this restaurant is pretty good.
666 — 溜溜溜 liù liù liù — awesome, skilled, smooth
你这波操作真666。
Nǐ zhè bō cāozuò zhēn 666.
That move was seriously impressive.
520 — 我爱你 wǒ ài nǐ — I love you
今天想对你说520。
Jīntiān xiǎng duì nǐ shuō 520.
Today I want to say I love you.
CP — 配对 pèiduì — pairing, ship
我很喜欢这对CP。
Wǒ hěn xǐhuan zhè duì CP.
I really like this pairing.
吃瓜 chī guā — watching drama from the sidelines
我先吃瓜，不发表意见。
Wǒ xiān chī guā, bù fābiǎo yìjiàn.
I’m just watching the drama first and not giving an opinion.
种草 zhòng cǎo — to get tempted to buy something
我被这双鞋彻底种草了。
Wǒ bèi zhè shuāng xié chèdǐ zhòngcǎo le.
I’ve been totally influenced to want these shoes.
摆烂 bǎi làn — to give up and just let things be messy
今天太累了，我决定摆烂。
Jīntiān tài lèi le, wǒ juédìng bǎilàn.
I’m too tired today, so I’m giving up and doing the bare minimum.
破防 pò fáng — emotionally cracked, suddenly hit in the feelings
看到那句留言我瞬间破防了。
Kàndào nà jù liúyán wǒ shùnjiān pòfáng le.
That comment hit me right in the feelings.
How Chinese Internet Shortcuts Work
- 拼音首字母 pīnyīn shǒuzìmǔ: many abbreviations come from the first letters of a Chinese phrase, like XSWL from 笑死我了 xiào sǐ wǒ le.
- 数字谐音 shùzì xiéyīn: some numbers sound like words, like 520 for 我爱你 wǒ ài nǐ.
- 表情字母 biǎoqíng zìmǔ: things like QAQ and TAT look like crying faces.
- 英文借词 yīngwén jiècí: some terms come from English and get absorbed into online Chinese, like BGM, KOL, and CP.
- 热词扩展 rècí kuòzhǎn: not everything is an abbreviation. Terms like 内卷 nèi juǎn and 摆烂 bǎi làn are full slang words you still need to know.
Reaction And Feeling Abbreviations
| Short Form | Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YYDS | 永远的神 | yǒngyuǎn de shén | the GOAT, unbelievably good | 这家店真是YYDS。 | Zhè jiā diàn zhēn shì YYDS. | This shop is seriously the GOAT. |
| XSWL | 笑死我了 | xiào sǐ wǒ le | I’m dying of laughter | 你这个评论真的XSWL。 | Nǐ zhège pínglùn zhēnde XSWL. | Your comment is killing me. |
| DBQ | 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | sorry | 我迟到了，DBQ。 | Wǒ chídào le, DBQ. | I was late, sorry. |
| NSDD | 你说得对 | nǐ shuō de duì | you’re right | 这点我觉得NSDD。 | Zhè diǎn wǒ juéde NSDD. | On this point, you’re right. |
| ZQSG | 真情实感 | zhēnqíng shígǎn | genuine feelings, sincerely emotional | 她这段话都是ZQSG。 | Tā zhè duànhuà dōu shì ZQSG. | Her words are completely sincere. |
| U1S1 | 有一说一 | yǒu yī shuō yī | honestly speaking | U1S1，这家餐厅不错。 | U1S1, zhè jiā cāntīng búcuò. | Honestly, this restaurant is good. |
| AWSL | 啊我死了 | ā wǒ sǐ le | I’m dead, overwhelmed by cuteness or excitement | 这套穿搭太好看了，AWSL。 | Zhè tào chuāndā tài hǎokàn le, AWSL. | This outfit is so good I’m dead. |
| KSWL | 磕死我了 | kē sǐ wǒ le | I’m dying from how sweet this pairing is | 他们俩互动太甜了，KSWL。 | Tāmen liǎ hùdòng tài tián le, KSWL. | Their interaction is so sweet I’m dying. |
| WSL | 我酸了 | wǒ suān le | I’m jealous | 看到你去旅行，我真的WSL。 | Kàndào nǐ qù lǚxíng, wǒ zhēnde WSL. | Seeing your trip made me so jealous. |
| WKSL | 我哭死了 | wǒ kū sǐ le | I cried so hard | 这个结局我真的WKSL。 | Zhège jiéjú wǒ zhēnde WKSL. | This ending made me cry my eyes out. |
| 666 | 溜溜溜 | liù liù liù | awesome, smooth, impressive | 你这波操作真666。 | Nǐ zhè bō cāozuò zhēn 666. | That move was awesome. |
| 2333 | 哈哈哈 | hāhāhā | LOL, very funny | 这个视频太好笑了，2333。 | Zhège shìpín tài hǎoxiào le, 2333. | This video is hilarious, lol. |
| 555 | 呜呜呜 | wūwūwū | sob, crying sound | 你们都去了，只有我没去，555。 | Nǐmen dōu qù le, zhǐyǒu wǒ méi qù, 555. | You all went and only I didn’t, sob. |
| QAQ | 哭泣表情 | kūqì biǎoqíng | crying face emoticon | 作业也太多了吧，QAQ。 | Zuòyè yě tài duō le ba, QAQ. | There is way too much homework, cry. |
| TAT | 哭脸 | kūliǎn | sad crying face | 手机又没电了，TAT。 | Shǒujī yòu méi diàn le, TAT. | My phone died again, ugh. |
| ORZ | 失意体前屈 | shīyìtǐ qiánqū | defeated, bowing in frustration | 这题我不会，ORZ。 | Zhè tí wǒ bú huì, ORZ. | I can’t do this question, defeated. |
| 3Q | 谢谢 | xièxie | thanks | 帮我拿一下，3Q。 | Bāng wǒ ná yíxià, 3Q. | Help me grab that, thanks. |
Chat, Fandom, And Platform Shorthand
| Short Form | Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XDM | 兄弟们 | xiōngdìmen | bros, everyone, gang | XDM，今晚吃火锅吗？ | XDM, jīnwǎn chī huǒguō ma? | Guys, hotpot tonight? |
| PLMM | 漂亮妹妹 | piàoliang mèimei | pretty girl | 那个PLMM笑起来太可爱了。 | Nàge PLMM xiào qǐlái tài kě’ài le. | That pretty girl has such a cute smile. |
| 88 | 拜拜 | bàibài | bye | 我先走啦，88。 | Wǒ xiān zǒu la, 88. | I’m heading out, bye. |
| 886 | 拜拜喽 | bàibài lou | bye-bye, I’m off | 会议结束，我886了。 | Huìyì jiéshù, wǒ 886 le. | Meeting over, I’m off. |
| 520 | 我爱你 | wǒ ài nǐ | I love you | 今天想对你说520。 | Jīntiān xiǎng duì nǐ shuō 520. | Today I want to say I love you. |
| 1314 | 一生一世 | yì shēng yí shì | for a lifetime, forever | 希望我们能在一起1314。 | Xīwàng wǒmen néng zài yìqǐ 1314. | Hope we can be together forever. |
| CP | 配对 | pèiduì | pairing, ship | 我很喜欢这对CP。 | Wǒ hěn xǐhuan zhè duì CP. | I really like this pairing. |
| HE | 好结局 | hǎo jiéjú | happy ending | 我就想看个HE结局。 | Wǒ jiù xiǎng kàn gè HE jiéjú. | I just want a happy ending. |
| BE | 坏结局 | huài jiéjú | bad ending | 这部剧最后居然BE了。 | Zhè bù jù zuìhòu jūrán BE le. | This drama actually ended badly. |
| KOL | 关键意见领袖 | guānjiàn yìjiàn lǐngxiù | key opinion leader, influencer | 这个品牌请了很多KOL推广。 | Zhège pǐnpái qǐng le hěnduō KOL tuīguǎng. | This brand hired many influencers to promote it. |
| KOC | 关键意见消费者 | guānjiàn yìjiàn xiāofèizhě | consumer recommender, everyday reviewer | 比起KOL，我更相信KOC推荐。 | Bǐqǐ KOL, wǒ gèng xiāngxìn KOC tuījiàn. | Compared with major influencers, I trust consumer recommendations more. |
| C位 | 中心位置 | zhōngxīn wèizhi | center spot, main position | 她在合照里总站C位。 | Tā zài hézhào lǐ zǒng zhàn C位. | She always stands in the center spot in group photos. |
| BGM | 背景音乐 | bèijǐng yīnyuè | background music | 这条视频的BGM好洗脑。 | Zhè tiáo shìpín de BGM hǎo xǐnǎo. | This video’s background music is super catchy. |
| UP主 | 上传者 | shàngchuán zhě | creator, uploader | 这个UP主讲得很清楚。 | Zhège UP zhǔ jiǎng de hěn qīngchu. | This creator explains things very clearly. |
| WB | 微博 | wēibó | 我刚在WB看到热搜。 | Wǒ gāng zài WB kàndào rèsōu. | I just saw a trending topic on Weibo. | |
| WX | 微信 | wēixìn | 你加我WX吧。 | Nǐ jiā wǒ WX ba. | Add me on WeChat. | |
| PYQ | 朋友圈 | péngyǒuquān | Moments, social feed on WeChat | 她今天在PYQ晒猫了。 | Tā jīntiān zài PYQ shài māo le. | She posted her cat on Moments today. |
| XHS | 小红书 | xiǎohóngshū | Xiaohongshu, RedNote | 我在XHS上种草了这款包。 | Wǒ zài XHS shàng zhòngcǎo le zhè kuǎn bāo. | I got influenced to want this bag on Xiaohongshu. |
| DY | 抖音 | dǒuyīn | Douyin | 这首歌在DY上特别火。 | Zhè shǒu gē zài DY shàng tèbié huǒ. | This song is super popular on Douyin. |
Bonus Internet Slang You Will See Everywhere
| Term | Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 吃瓜 | 吃瓜 | chī guā | watching drama as a bystander | 我先吃瓜，不发表意见。 | Wǒ xiān chī guā, bù fābiǎo yìjiàn. | I’m just watching the drama and not commenting yet. |
| 打call | 打call | dǎ call | to cheer loudly for someone | 今晚我要给她疯狂打call。 | Jīnwǎn wǒ yào gěi tā fēngkuáng dǎ call. | Tonight I’m going to cheer hard for her. |
| 网红 | 网红 | wǎng hóng | internet celebrity | 这家店以前是网红打卡地。 | Zhè jiā diàn yǐqián shì wǎng hóng dǎkǎ dì. | This shop used to be an influencer hotspot. |
| 内卷 | 内卷 | nèi juǎn | pointless over-competition | 大家都加班，真的太内卷了。 | Dàjiā dōu jiābān, zhēnde tài nèi juǎn le. | Everyone works overtime; it’s way too competitive. |
| 躺平 | 躺平 | tǎng píng | opting out, refusing the rat race | 周末我只想躺平。 | Zhōumò wǒ zhǐ xiǎng tǎng píng. | On weekends I just want to do nothing and opt out. |
| 摆烂 | 摆烂 | bǎi làn | to give up and let it be messy | 今天太累了，我决定摆烂。 | Jīntiān tài lèi le, wǒ juédìng bǎi làn. | I’m too tired today, so I’m giving up and coasting. |
| 社恐 | 社恐 | shè kǒng | socially anxious, anti-social in a casual way | 人太多了，我有点社恐。 | Rén tài duō le, wǒ yǒudiǎn shè kǒng. | There are too many people; I’m feeling socially anxious. |
| 社牛 | 社牛 | shè niú | super outgoing, socially fearless | 他第一次见面就像社牛一样聊天。 | Tā dì yī cì jiànmiàn jiù xiàng shè niú yíyàng liáotiān. | He chatted like a total social butterfly the first time we met. |
| 凡尔赛 | 凡尔赛 | fán’ěrsài | humblebragging | 她那句抱怨听起来很凡尔赛。 | Tā nà jù bàoyuàn tīng qǐlái hěn fán’ěrsài. | That complaint sounded like a humblebrag. |
| 种草 | 种草 | zhòng cǎo | to get tempted to buy or try something | 我被这双鞋彻底种草了。 | Wǒ bèi zhè shuāng xié chèdǐ zhòngcǎo le. | I’ve been totally influenced to want these shoes. |
| 拔草 | 拔草 | bá cǎo | to remove desire, or to finally buy and cross it off | 试过以后，我成功拔草了。 | Shìguò yǐhòu, wǒ chénggōng bá cǎo le. | After trying it, I finally crossed it off my list. |
| 安利 | 安利 | ān lì | to recommend enthusiastically | 我要安利你这部新剧。 | Wǒ yào ān lì nǐ zhè bù xīn jù. | I need to recommend this new drama to you. |
| 翻车 | 翻车 | fān chē | to fail badly, to backfire | 他这次直播彻底翻车了。 | Tā zhè cì zhíbō chèdǐ fān chē le. | His livestream totally crashed and burned. |
| 破防 | 破防 | pò fáng | to get emotionally hit, defenses broken | 看到那句留言我瞬间破防了。 | Kàndào nà jù liúyán wǒ shùnjiān pòfáng le. | That comment instantly got to me. |
Common Mistakes And Fast Fixes
- Do not use everything in formal writing. DBQ duìbuqǐ in a casual chat is fine. In a work email, just write 对不起 duìbuqǐ or 抱歉 bàoqiàn.
- 666 liù liù liù means “awesome,” not anything spooky. Relax.
- 520 wǒ ài nǐ and 1314 yì shēng yí shì are cute, but also very cheesy if the mood is wrong.
- 社恐 shè kǒng is often used casually online. It is not always a clinical statement.
- 摆烂 bǎi làn and 躺平 tǎng píng are not identical. 躺平 tǎng píng is more about opting out; 摆烂 bǎi làn is more like “I’m done, this mess can stay messy.”
- 种草 zhòng cǎo is getting tempted. 拔草 bá cǎo is removing that temptation or finally checking it off.
Quick Reference Summary
| Pattern | What It Means | Best Example |
|---|---|---|
| 拼音首字母 pīnyīn shǒuzìmǔ | First letters of a Chinese phrase | XSWL = 笑死我了 xiào sǐ wǒ le |
| 数字谐音 shùzì xiéyīn | Numbers that sound like Chinese words | 520 = 我爱你 wǒ ài nǐ |
| 表情字母 biǎoqíng zìmǔ | Letters that look like faces | QAQ, TAT |
| 英文借词 yīngwén jiècí | English terms used inside Chinese internet speech | BGM, KOL, CP |
| 热词 rècí | Full slang words, not abbreviations | 吃瓜 chī guā, 摆烂 bǎi làn |
One Last Yak Nudge
If you only memorize five today, make them DBQ — 对不起 duìbuqǐ, NSDD — 你说得对 nǐ shuō de duì, U1S1 — 有一说一 yǒu yī shuō yī, 666 — 溜溜溜 liù liù liù, and YYDS — 永远的神 yǒngyuǎn de shén. That alone will make Chinese comment sections look a lot less like alphabet soup and a lot more like actual language.
FAQ
Are These Abbreviations OK In Formal Chinese?
Usually no. Terms like XSWL — 笑死我了 xiào sǐ wǒ le or DBQ — 对不起 duìbuqǐ are best for chats, comments, and social media. In formal writing, use the full standard Chinese phrase instead.
How Do I Pronounce Letter Abbreviations?
Most of the time, you learn the full phrase behind them, not the letter names. So for NSDD, remember 你说得对 nǐ shuō de duì. For QAQ or TAT, people often treat them more like visual emoticons than words you say out loud.
Which Terms Should Beginners Learn First?
Start with high-frequency everyday items: DBQ — 对不起 duìbuqǐ, NSDD — 你说得对 nǐ shuō de duì, U1S1 — 有一说一 yǒu yī shuō yī, 666 — 溜溜溜 liù liù liù, XSWL — 笑死我了 xiào sǐ wǒ le, and 吃瓜 chī guā.
