Explaining Chinese Buzzwords From Douyin and Kuaishou
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- Source：The Silk Road Echo
If you've ever scrolled through Douyin (China's TikTok) or Kuaishou, you know the internet moves fast — and so does the slang. New buzzwords pop up daily, shaped by memes, viral challenges, and everyday life in China's digital culture. But what do they really mean? Let’s decode some of the hottest terms sweeping these platforms in 2024.
1. Xia Zai (下崽) – 'Having Babies Like a Panda'
No, it’s not about actual childbirth. Xia zai literally means "to give birth to offspring," but netizens use it humorously when someone hits multiple achievements at once — like landing a dream job, getting engaged, and buying an apartment all in one month. It’s like saying, "They’re popping out wins like pandas in spring!"
2. Nei Juan (内卷) – The Burnout Battle
You can’t talk about Chinese internet culture without mentioning nei juan, or "involution." It describes the feeling of working harder just to stay in place — think students pulling all-nighters to outdo each other for the same grade. A 2023 survey by Peking University found that 68% of urban youth feel trapped in this cycle.
| Buzzword | Literal Meaning | Actual Use | Platform Popularity (Million Posts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nei Juan (内卷) | Involution | Over-competition with no real gain | Douyin: 92M | Kuaishou: 67M |
| Tang Ping (躺平) | Lying Flat | Rejecting societal pressure | Douyin: 75M | Kuaishou: 83M |
| Zao An (早安) | Good Morning | Ironic greeting for burnout | Douyin: 41M | Kuaishou: 36M |
| Da Men (打鸣) | To Crow | Celebrating small wins loudly | Douyin: 29M | Kuaishou: 54M |
3. Tang Ping (躺平) – Opting Out Gracefully
If nei juan is running in circles, tang ping is lying down and saying, "I’m good." It’s the anti-hustle movement where young people reject endless work for minimal living. On Kuaishou, users post videos of simple rural lives with captions like "No boss, no stress, just rice and peace."
4. Da Men (打鸣) – Crowing Your Wins
Originally from roosters announcing dawn, da men now means proudly sharing your achievements — even tiny ones. Did you finally reply to that email? Da men! Finished laundry? Da men! It’s positivity on fast-forward, especially popular among Gen Z on Douyin.
Why These Words Matter
These aren’t just jokes — they reflect real social trends. Nei juan and tang ping show growing fatigue with China’s competitive grind. Meanwhile, da men and xia zai highlight a desire for joy and recognition in small moments.
Understanding these terms isn’t just fun — it’s key to grasping modern Chinese youth culture. Whether you're marketing, traveling, or just curious, speaking the slang gets you closer to the heartbeat of digital China.