lǐyǔ: 俚语 - Slang, Colloquialism

• Keywords: Chinese slang, what is liyu, 俚语 meaning, Chinese colloquialisms, common Chinese slang, learn Chinese slang, informal Chinese language, lǐyǔ, internet slang, 网络用语, modern Chinese.
• Summary: Discover the world of 俚语 (lǐyǔ), the vibrant and ever-changing slang of modern Chinese. This guide explains the meaning of 俚语, its cultural importance, and how it's used in everyday conversation and on social media. Learning Chinese slang is essential for understanding movies, chatting with friends, and grasping the true-to-life context of the language beyond the textbook. Dive into practical examples and learn to speak like a native.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): lǐ yǔ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: Informal, non-standard words or phrases used in colloquial speech; slang or vernacular.
• In a Nutshell: 俚语 (lǐyǔ) is the language of the street, not the classroom. It's the collection of informal, often humorous or edgy, words and phrases that people use with friends, online, and in relaxed situations. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of “spill the tea,” “salty,” or “GOAT.” Mastering some 俚语 is a key step to moving from sounding like a student to sounding like a local.

• 俚 (lǐ): This character originally means “rustic,” “unrefined,” or related to the “common people.” It points to something that is not part of the formal, educated standard.
• 语 (yǔ): This character simply means “language,” “speech,” or “word.”

When combined, 俚语 (lǐyǔ) literally translates to “rustic language” or “common people's speech.” This perfectly captures its essence as the informal, unofficial, and often creative language used in everyday life.

In Chinese culture, there is often a clear distinction between formal language (书面语 shūmiànyǔ) and spoken, colloquial language (口语 kǒuyǔ). 俚语 (lǐyǔ) sits at the most informal end of this spectrum. Its use is a powerful social signal. Using it correctly can instantly build rapport, show you're “in the know,” and break down formal barriers. A Western equivalent is, of course, “slang.” Both American and Chinese slang are dynamic, mark in-group/out-group status, and are heavily influenced by youth and internet culture. However, a unique feature of Chinese slang, particularly internet slang (网络用语 wǎngluò yòngyǔ), is its heavy reliance on puns based on characters that sound similar but have different meanings, or numbers that sound like words (e.g., 555 for crying sounds 呜呜呜 wūwūwū). Understanding 俚语 isn't just about learning new words; it's about getting a real-time feed of what's trending in Chinese society, what people are joking about, and what cultural phenomena are capturing the public's imagination.

俚语 is everywhere in modern China, especially in informal contexts.

• Social Media and Texting: Platforms like Weibo (微博), Douyin (抖音), and WeChat (微信) are breeding grounds for new slang. It's used to be concise, witty, and express emotions that formal language can't.
• Among Friends: Speaking with friends, especially younger generations, is filled with slang. Using it shows closeness and a shared cultural understanding.
• Online Gaming and Pop Culture: These communities develop their own highly specific slang, which often breaks into the mainstream.

Formality: Extremely informal. You should avoid using 俚语 in business meetings, academic essays, or when speaking to elders or superiors unless you have a very close and casual relationship with them. Using it in the wrong context can make you seem unprofessional or even disrespectful.

Note: The following sentences are examples of 俚语, as this is the most practical way to learn the concept. * Example 1: * 别听他吹牛了，他根本没去过那么多国家。 * Pinyin: Bié tīng tā chuīniú le, tā gēnběn méi qùguò nàme duō guójiā. * English: Stop listening to him brag (literally 'blow cow'); he hasn't been to that many countries at all. * Analysis: 吹牛 (chuīniú) is a classic piece of 俚语 meaning to brag or exaggerate. It's very common and understood by almost everyone. <br><br> * Example 2: * 这部电影太棒了，简直是YYDS！ * Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng tài bàng le, jiǎnzhí shì YYDS! * English: This movie is amazing, it's simply the eternal god (YYDS)! * Analysis: YYDS is an acronym for “永远的神 (yǒngyuǎn de shén),” a hugely popular internet 俚语 used to praise someone or something as the “Greatest Of All Time” (GOAT). <br><br> * Example 3: * 我今天只想在家摸鱼，什么都不想干。 * Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān zhǐ xiǎng zài jiā mōyú, shénme dōu bùxiǎng gàn. * English: Today I just want to slack off (literally 'touch fish') at home and not do anything. * Analysis: 摸鱼 (mōyú) is a very popular 俚语 for slacking off at work or school, pretending to be busy while actually doing nothing productive. <br><br> * Example 4: * 我又是一个人过节，真是个单身狗。 * Pinyin: Wǒ yòu shì yīgè rén guòjié, zhēnshì ge dānshēn gǒu. * English: I'm spending the holiday alone again, I'm such a single dog. * Analysis: 单身狗 (dānshēn gǒu) is a self-deprecating and humorous 俚语 for a single person. It's often used by single people to joke about their own status. <br><br> * Example 5: * 那个网红又在凡尔赛了，说她“随便”买了个包就花了几十万。 * Pinyin: Nàge wǎnghóng yòu zài fán'ěrsài le, shuō tā “suíbiàn” mǎi le ge bāo jiù huā le jǐ shí wàn. * English: That influencer is humblebragging (literally 'Versailles-ing') again, saying she “casually” bought a bag that cost several hundred thousand. * Analysis: 凡尔赛 (fán'ěrsài) is a modern 俚语 describing a specific type of bragging where someone complains about their wealthy, privileged life to subtly show it off. <br><br> * Example 6: * 你游戏打得真好，666！ * Pinyin: Nǐ yóuxì dǎ de zhēn hǎo, liùliùliù! * English: You play the game so well, awesome/slick! * Analysis: 666 (liùliùliù) is internet 俚语 that sounds like 溜溜溜 (liūliūliū), meaning “smooth” or “slick.” It's used to express admiration for someone's skill. <br><br> * Example 7: * 我们在安静地开会，他突然讲了个冷笑话，气氛好尬啊。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen zài ānjìng de kāihuì, tā tūrán jiǎng le ge lěng xiàohuà, qìfēn hǎo gà a. * English: We were in a quiet meeting, and he suddenly told a lame joke. The atmosphere was so awkward/cringey. * Analysis: 尬 (gà), short for 尴尬 (gāngà), is a widely used 俚语 to describe a cringey or socially awkward situation. <br><br> * Example 8: * 明星一分手，所有吃瓜群众都上线了。 * Pinyin: Míngxīng yī fēnshǒu, suǒyǒu chīguā qúnzhòng dōu shàngxiàn le. * English: As soon as the celebrity broke up, all the onlookers (literally 'melon-eating masses') came online. * Analysis: 吃瓜群众 (chīguā qúnzhòng) refers to netizens who are just there to watch the drama unfold without taking a side, like a bystander casually eating snacks. <br><br> * Example 9: * 他为了追那个女孩，什么都愿意做，真是个舔狗。 * Pinyin: Tā wèile zhuī nàge nǚhái, shénme dōu yuànyì zuò, zhēnshì ge tiǎngǒu. * English: In order to pursue that girl, he's willing to do anything, he's such a simp (literally 'licking dog'). * Analysis: 舔狗 (tiǎngǒu) is a harsh but common 俚语 for someone who debases themselves to win another person's affection, with no dignity. It has a very negative connotation. <br><br> * Example 10: * 我只是分享一下我的看法，你别当杠精好吗？ * Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐshì fēnxiǎng yīxià wǒ de kànfǎ, nǐ bié dāng gàngjīng hǎo ma? * English: I'm just sharing my opinion, can you not be a contrarian/troll (literally 'lifting-bar spirit')? * Analysis: A 杠精 (gàngjīng) is someone who argues for the sake of arguing and will take the opposite position on principle, no matter what. It's a common term for argumentative people online. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * Using Slang in Formal Contexts: This is the biggest mistake. Telling your professor your weekend was “666” or explaining to your boss you were “摸鱼” will make you sound unprofessional and possibly disrespectful. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, use standard language. * Using Outdated Slang: Internet slang, in particular, has a very short lifespan. Using 俚语 from five years ago can make you sound out of touch, much like saying “that's the bee's knees” in English today. It's best to learn current slang from recent TV shows, social media, or friends. * Misunderstanding Connotation: Not all slang is fun and games. Terms like 舔狗 (tiǎngǒu) are quite insulting. Similarly, self-deprecating terms like 单身狗 (dānshēn gǒu) are okay to use for yourself, but calling someone else that could be offensive depending on your relationship. Always be sure of the connotation before using a new slang term. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * 网络用语 (wǎngluò yòngyǔ): Internet Slang. A huge and influential sub-category of modern 俚语. * 流行语 (liúxíngyǔ): Buzzword, Popular Phrase. This heavily overlaps with 俚语 and refers to phrases that are currently trending. * 口语 (kǒuyǔ): Spoken Language. A broader category that includes all informal speech, of which 俚语 is a part. * 俗语 (súyǔ): Common Saying, Proverb. These are more traditional and established than 俚语, often passing down wisdom. Think “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” * 成语 (chéngyǔ): Idioms. These are typically four-character phrases derived from classical literature and history. They are formal and represent the opposite end of the spectrum from 俚语. * 方言 (fāngyán): Dialect. The language specific to a certain region. Much slang can be derived from or is specific to certain dialects. * 土话 (tǔhuà): Local dialect, rustic speech. Similar to the “俚” in 俚语, this term refers to unrefined, local speech, and can sometimes have a slightly negative or uneducated connotation.