Unraveling the Stories Behind Popular Chinese Slang
Have you ever wondered why, in the realm of Chinese websites, you occasionally come across perplexing terms like "hard control," "work flavor," or "little kid brother"? These seemingly enigmatic expressions are, in fact, hugely popular slang in the local Chinese scene. They serve as mirrors, reflecting the diverse social landscape of contemporary China and the whimsical musings of its people. Are you curious about these terms词语(cí yǔ)? This article will enlighten you!
词语 (cí yǔ), noun, terms
Examples:
- Learn new terms is important for language study.
学习新词语对语言学习很重要。
xué xí xīn cí yǔ duì yǔ yán xué xí hěn zhòng yào 。 - These terms are difficult to understand.
这些词语很难理解。
zhè xiē cí yǔ hěn nán lǐ jiě 。
班味(bān wèi): Work Flavor,The Exclusive "Badge" of Office Workers
"Work flavor" refers to the special state that people exhibit after working in the office. Just think about it, with a workload as towering as a small mountain, having to deal with piles of documents every day, meeting various project targets; sometimes, the work environment isn't great, perhaps working in a noisy place, and often having to work overtime, feeling exhausted like a dog; the interpersonal relationships in the workplace resemble a small maze, complex and requiring careful navigation of various office tricks.
As a result, everyone's eyes appear tired and lifeless, their faces losing their refinement, looking somewhat unkempt. This term gained popularity in the online article "Once You Start Working, Your Aura Will Change." It suggests that once you start working, the "work flavor" becomes like an unshakeable tail; once it sticks, it's challenging to shake it off.
Netizens often gather to share their experiences with "work flavor" and exchange tips on how to bid farewell to it. For instance, taking a break to travel and unwind, socializing to meet new friends, or engaging in entertainment activities to enrich one's leisure time, terms like "remove work flavor" or "wash off work flavor" have become trendy.
硬控(yìng kòng): Hard Control, Charismatic Appeal Beyond Resistance
"Hard control" initially originated in the realm of gaming, acting as a small magical spell that temporarily renders players unable to control their in-game characters.
For example, in some highly stimulating competitive games, when a hero uses a stunning skill, the opposing player seems paralyzed, unable to move for several seconds, just helplessly watching themselves being attacked, feeling extremely powerless.
Over time, through continuous application by people, this term transitioned from the gaming world to social circles. When people say, "×× hard controlled me for × seconds" or "×× hard controlled me for × minutes," they mean that something is truly charismatic, immediately captivating people and immersing them completely within a short period, their eyes unable to move away.
For instance, a thrilling movie resembling a magical world, or an exhilarating sports match resembling a passionately burning battlefield, can "hard control" the audience for minutes or even hours, making them engrossed and completely forgetting their surroundings.
松弛感(sōng chí gǎn): Relaxed Sensibility,The Calm Secret in the Face of Pressure
"Relaxed sensibility" typically refers to, in the face of stress, maintaining a calm and friendly psychological state, devoid of panic, haste, or anxiety.
In stressful situations, such as facing urgent work projects, exam pressures in studies, or interpersonal conflicts in daily life, individuals with "relaxed sensibility" do not immediately succumb to tension and anxiety spirals.
They can view these stressors with a calm mindset. For example, when facing a crucial work工作(gōng zuò) report task, individuals without relaxed sensibility may spend the previous night tossing and turning, worrying about making mistakes, forgetting words, or underperforming. Conversely, individuals with relaxed sensibility may approach the situation with relatively calm thoughts.
工作 (gōng zuò), noun, work
Examples:
- His work is very interesting.
他的工作很有趣。
tā de gōng zuò hěn yǒu qù 。 - I have a lot of work to do today.
我今天有很多工作要做。
wǒ jīn tiān yǒu hěn duō gōng zuò yào zuò 。
They might conscientiously plan their time for preparation, while not overly worrying about the outcome, preventing mental and physical exhaustion due to excessive concerns.
Lacking relaxed sensibility merely indicates our pursuit of perfection is too intense. Taking moments to relax is also crucial. There's an ancient Chinese saying, "Plant the flowers with care, and they won't blossom; Insert the willows randomly, and they'll provide shade." Don't be overly anxious about the future. Let nature take its course, be content in the present, and believe that everything will improve over time!
The dynamic and whimsical world of Chinese slang is a vibrant portrayal of subtle emotional variations. These popular phrases reflect how Chinese people, whether busy in their endeavors or relaxing at leisure, perpetually maintain their passion and creativity on the stage of life.