Phrase Meanings Explained
Literal definitions, real conversational meanings, tone, and practical examples.
These pages explain what an expression normally does in conversation—not just what each character means. Start here when a dictionary translation is correct but still does not tell you whether a phrase sounds warm, dismissive, indirect, or out of place.
A useful question: What would a Chinese speaker be doing by choosing this phrase here?
摆烂
摆烂 means deliberately giving up on improving a bad, difficult, or failing situation, often with resigned humor.
内卷
内卷 usually describes escalating competition in which people keep increasing effort to avoid falling behind, with little meaningful improvement for anyone.
内耗
内耗 usually means being mentally drained by repeated inner conflict, second-guessing, and hesitation before action.
社死
社死 means feeling as if your social image has collapsed after a public embarrassment; it is often said with self-mocking exaggeration.
上头
So absorbed or excited that your impulse is running ahead of your judgment—too hooked, carried away, or a little infatuated.
不至于
A situation is not serious enough to produce the result in question; it will not go that far.
下头
A sudden turn-off—the interest was there, then a specific moment cooled or killed it.
凡尔赛
A humble-brag—the complaint asks for sympathy while the detail underneath shows off.
有点东西
There is real skill or substance here—more than I expected.