9 Chinese Slang Words from 2016 You May Have Missed
For many in the West, 2016 will be remembered for Trump, Brexit, terrorism in Europe and an absurd number of pop culture deaths, from Bowie to Muhammad Ali. By comparison, China had an unusually quiet year. Nonetheless, there were still a few goings-on in the world's most populous country.
In our 2016 Year in Review series, we recap the best (and worst) of China's year in the worlds of technology, social media, sport, fashion, food, arts and more.
Each month, Mia Li introduces you to a trending phrase in our regular 'Chinese Urban Dictionary' series. Here's a look back at some notable Chinese slang words from 2016.
1. Goudai / Gǒudài / 狗带
Example:
A: My handbag cost 10,000 kuai. How much did yours cost?
B: A hundred yuan. It’s from Taobao. I goudai.
2. Nanyou Li Max / Nányǒu Lì Max / 男友力Max
Example:
A: When I got home from the work party last night, my boss sent me a message asking me if I got home okay.
B: Nanyouli max!
A: Yes but he is married.
B: Damn all the good ones are taken.
3. Laonü / Lāonǚ / 捞女
Example:
A: Why does Lingling always go to the golf course? She doesn't even play.
B: She is playing a different game, if you catch my drift.
A: Oh. She’s trying to meet a rich guy?
B: Why else would she doll up just to sit there playing with her hair?
A: Does she really think being a laonü will work?
B: Well, it worked for all her other friends.
4. Zhanan / Zhānán /渣男
Example:
A: This guy I’m seeing shows up every other week to spend time with me, then just goes incommunicado. It’s been months. What is wrong with him?
B: Either he’s a spy or a zhanan.
5. Beitai / Bèitāi / 备胎
Example:
A: Jia Jia asked me out again! Our last date was two months ago.
B: Two months? What has he been up to this whole time?
A: He said he was out of town.
B: Which town has no phones? You are such a beitai.
6. Rensheng Yingjia / Rénshēng Yíngjiā / 人生赢家
Example:
A: Check out this year’s '30 Under 30' list. These people are already so far ahead. They pretty much win life.
B: Yeah, they are the rensheng yingjia. You’re either born one or you’re not.
7. Yanzhi / Yánzhí / 颜值
Example:
A: The new guy single handedly raised the average yanzhi of the office by 45 percent.
B: I know. He is so good-looking that he'd raise the yanzhi of any office by 45 percent.
8. Gan’ga ai / gān’gà ái / 尴尬癌
Example:
A: I can’t watch the Spring Festival Gala anymore.
B: Why not?
A: Every year I have to sit and watch my parents laugh at Internet jokes from 2005. It’s so awkward that my entire body becomes paralyzed from gan’ga ai.
9. Shenshou Dang / shēnshǒu dǎng / 伸手党
Example:
A: What does ‘nomenclature’ mean?
B: Come on, it takes three seconds to look it up in a dictionary. It’s kind of hard to explain.
A: You look it up and tell me.
B: You are such a shenshou dang.
For more 2016 Year in Review coverage, click "Read more" below.