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Chinese & Indonesian slang dictionary for heritage speakers
Grew up hearing Mandarin or Indonesian at home but lost track of how people talk now? These are the modern, slang and workplace words heritage speakers most often miss — what they mean, who says them, and how they sound in a real sentence.
Chinese (Mandarin) slang
Internet and workplace words you'll hear from friends and coworkers in China.
- 内卷nèi juǎnInvolution: pointless, ever-escalating competition where everyone works harder and nobody comes out ahead.
- 卷juǎnTo over-compete or over-work; a try-hard who raises the bar for everyone.
- 躺平tǎng píngTo “lie flat”: opt out of the rat race and do only the bare minimum.
- 摆烂bǎi lànTo give up and let things get worse on purpose, because it's hopeless anyway.
- 打工人dǎ gōng rénA wage worker — the self-deprecating way ordinary employees describe themselves.
- 画饼huà bǐngTo make empty promises — especially a boss dangling raises or promotions that never come.
- 甩锅shuǎi guōTo pass the buck — shift the blame onto someone else.
- 靠谱kào pǔReliable, dependable; a plan or person that makes sense.
- 性价比xìng jià bǐValue for money — what you get for what you pay.
- 社恐shè kǒngSocially anxious; someone who dreads talking to strangers or big social situations.
- 吐槽tǔ cáoTo roast, rant about, or poke fun at something.
- 凡尔赛fán ěr sàiA humblebrag: showing off while pretending to complain or be modest.
- 佛系fó xìBuddha-like: chill, low-desire, go-with-the-flow.
- 内耗nèi hàoDraining yourself from the inside — overthinking, self-doubt and second-guessing.
- 破防pò fángTo have your emotional guard broken — suddenly moved, hurt or upset.
- 绝绝子jué jué zǐAbsolutely amazing — over-the-top internet praise.
- yyds永远的神yǒng yuǎn de shén“Forever a god” — the GOAT, the absolute best.
- 666liù liù liùAwesome, nice one, well played.
Indonesian slang
Bahasa gaul that fills every group chat and comment section.
- GabutBored with nothing to do; idle.
- MagerToo lazy to move; can't be bothered to get up or go out.
- BaperTaking things too personally or emotionally; catching feelings.
- SantuyRelaxed, chill, no stress.
- JulidSnarky, envious and gossipy about other people.
- AnjayWhoa! / Damn! — an exclamation of surprise or amazement.
- GercepQuick to act; fast off the mark.
- BucinHead over heels; someone who'd do anything for their partner.
- KepoNosy; curious about other people's business.
- GajeRandom, pointless, weird — doesn't make sense.
- SaltyBitter, sour or petty — annoyed because you lost or feel left out.
- HealingTaking a break or a trip to de-stress — “me time” after a hard stretch.