Online Buzzwords China Decoding TikTok and Kuaishou Frenzy
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- Source：The Silk Road Echo
Ever scrolled through TikTok or Kuaishou and felt like everyone’s speaking a different language? You’re not alone. In China’s hyper-fast digital world, online buzzwords aren’t just slang — they’re cultural codes, inside jokes, and sometimes even social protests disguised as memes. From “996” to “involution,” these terms reveal what young Chinese people really think about work, life, and the pressure cooker of modern society.
Why Chinese Internet Slang Is Evolving Faster Than Ever
China’s internet is unique. With over 1.05 billion netizens (CNNIC, 2023), platforms like Douyin (TikTok’s domestic version) and Kuaishou dominate daily life. But thanks to strict censorship, users have gotten creative. They use puns, homophones, and irony to bypass filters. That’s how words like “wànnèi” (involution) and “tǎngpíng” (lying flat) went viral — not just as trends, but as quiet rebellions.
Take “tǎngpíng” — literally “lying flat.” It started as a response to burnout culture, encouraging people to reject endless hustle. No more 996 (9 AM–9 PM, 6 days a week). Just… stop. Rest. Breathe. It became a manifesto for Gen Z, with over 800 million views on Weibo under related hashtags.
The Hidden Language of Chinese Social Media
Here’s the twist: many buzzwords sound innocent but carry deep meaning. For example:
- “Neijuan” (内卷) – Involution: A term borrowed from anthropology, now used to describe cutthroat competition with no real progress. Think students studying 16 hours a day just to outdo each other — same result, more pain.
- “Zao Fan” (早翻)” – Wake Up Early, Flip the Script: A rallying cry for quitting toxic jobs and starting fresh.
- “Xiaoxiang Le” (笑死了) – Laughed to Death: Often used sarcastically when something is so absurd it’s funny.
These aren’t just words — they’re survival tools in a high-pressure digital ecosystem.
Top 5 Viral Buzzwords on TikTok & Kuaishou (2024)
| Buzzword | Meaning | Platform Popularity | Cultural Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tǎngpíng (躺平) | Lying flat / opting out of societal pressure | Douyin: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Kuaishou: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Rejection of hustle culture |
| Neijuan (内卷) | Involution / self-defeating competition | Douyin: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Kuaishou: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Fear of burnout |
| Zao Fan (早翻) | Quit early, rise again | Douyin: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Kuaishou: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Desire for reinvention |
| Xiaoxiang Le (笑死了) | Laughed to death (often sarcastic) | Douyin: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Kuaishou: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Coping with absurdity |
| Renjian Diyu (人间地狱) | Living hell (used to describe work conditions) | Douyin: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Kuaishou: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Workplace dissatisfaction |
How to Stay Updated (Without Losing Your Mind)
Want to keep up? Follow official Douyin trend reports, monitor Weibo hot searches, and join Zhihu discussions. But remember: context is everything. A phrase like “tǎngpíng” might seem lazy to outsiders, but for many Chinese youth, it’s a radical act of self-preservation.
In short, decoding China’s online buzzwords isn’t just about language — it’s about understanding a generation navigating hope, humor, and hardship — one meme at a time.