As 2024 comes to an end, let's take a look at some of the most talked-about Chinese buzzwords of the year.
These words capture the essence of modern life, from urban sophistication to personal resilience, with a touch of humor and relatability. Let's dive in!
01.
City不city / City bu city
The first term on our list exploded in popularity after a viral video by Chinese-American blogger 保保熊 (Bao Bao Xiong), who jokingly asked his sister:
上海city不city啊？
Is Shanghai city or not?
Her enthusiastic reply:
好city啊！
Very city!
made viewers laugh and sparked a trend.
But what does it really mean? "City" here becomes an adjective for describing whether something feels modern, trendy, or metropolitan. It's not just about big buildings and bright lights — it's about whether a place gives off the unmistakable vibe of urban sophistication.
The phrase went viral because it reflects how young people evaluate their surroundings in an increasingly cosmopolitan China.
Example:
A: 你觉得这家咖啡店city不city？
Nǐ juéde zhè jiā kāfēidiàn city bù city?
Do you think this café is city or not?
B: 好city！又有设计感，又能拍好看的照片。
Hǎo city! Yòu yǒu shèjì gǎn, yòu néng pāi hǎokàn de zhàopiàn.
Super city! It's so well-designed and photogenic.
02.
松弛感 / sōngchígǎn
Speaking of the pace of city life, staying composed and finding balance is more important than ever in 2024. That's where our next phrase comes in.
Imagine handling a high-stakes situation with effortless calm — that's the essence of 松弛感 (sōngchígǎn), meaning "relaxed vibe." 松弛感 rose to prominence during the 2024 Paris Olympics. As young Chinese athletes displayed incredible poise and confidence under pressure, they inspired millions to seek that same sense of ease in their daily lives.
In a world that often feels overwhelming, 松弛感 is about embracing self-compassion, staying composed, and not sweating the small stuff. It's no wonder this term resonated so strongly in a year when many were looking for healthier ways to handle stress.
Example:
A: 别紧张，放轻松点，这些都不是事儿！天塌不了。
Bié jǐnzhāng, fàng qīngsōng diǎn, zhèxiē dōu búshì shìr! Tiān tā bù liǎo.
Don't be so nervous, relax a bit. These things are no big deal! The sky won't fall.
B 好喜欢你这松弛感。
Hǎo xǐhuān nǐ zhè sōngchí gǎn.
I really love your relaxed vibe.
03.
班味 / bānwèi
Of course, achieving 松弛感 is easier said than done, In 2024, speaking of vibes, the next phrase dives into how competitive work can affect our personal style and energy, especially during the economic downturn.
If you've ever looked in the mirror after a long day at work and thought, "Wow, I look exhausted," you've probably experienced "班味" (bān wèi). This phrase, which translates to "workplace flavor," humorously describes the telltale signs of an overworked office worker — dark circles, a slouchy posture, and a general air of exhaustion.
It started as a tongue-in-cheek way to describe how work culture leaves its mark on us, and it struck a chord in 2024 as people discussed the importance of work-life balance. Despite its lighthearted nature, "班味" is a reminder to prioritize rest and self-care.
Example:
A: 你最近是不是加班太多了，我老远就能闻到你的班味！
Nǐ zuìjìn shì bú shì jiābān tài duō le, wǒ lǎoyuǎn jiù néng wén dào nǐ de bān wèi!
Have you been working overtime too much lately? I can smell your workplace vibes from a mile away!
B: 别说了，我黑眼圈都快掉到地上了！
Bié shuō le, wǒ hēiyǎnquān dōu kuài diào dào dìshàng le!
Don't even mention it — my dark circles are practically falling to the ground!
04.
偷感 / tōugǎn
But sometimes, instead of facing stress head-on, it's tempting to stay in the shadows and avoid attention altogether. Have you ever felt the urge to stay invisible, blending into the background to avoid attention or judgment? That's 偷感 (tōu gǎn), literally translating to "stealthy feeling," a phrase that captures the subtle art of discretion. Initially used to describe cautious behavior, it evolved into a term for the quiet comfort of living low-profile.
In 2024, as people navigated the complexities of social and professional life, 偷感 resonated as a relatable way to cope with modern anxieties. It's about finding peace in staying unnoticed — a feeling that many embraced in a world of oversharing.
Example:
A: 听说你老板今天心情不好。
Tīngshuō nǐ lǎobǎn jīntiān xīnqíng bù hǎo.
I heard your boss is in a bad mood today.
B: 那我今天偷感一点，千万别被他发现我迟到了！
Nà wǒ jīntiān tōu gǎn yīdiǎn, qiānwàn bié bèi tā fāxiàn wǒ chídào le!
Then I'll stay stealthy today — definitely don't want him noticing I'm late!
05.
草台班子 / cǎotáibānzi
And when things still go awry despite our best efforts, there's always humor to help us through. Originally used to describe makeshift theater troupes, 草台班子 (cǎotáibānzi), literally meaning "a troupe performing on a grassy stage", has become a popular way to laugh at disorganized teams or operations. Whether it's a poorly planned group project or a chaotic office meeting, this term highlights the humor in imperfection.
In 2024, 草台班子 gained traction as people vented frustrations about inefficiency and lack of structure, using it to bring a bit of levity to messy situations. After all, even when things feel amateurish, we find ways to make them work. "This is a total mess, but we're rolling with it."
Example:
A: 咱们这个项目看起来太草台班子了吧？
Zánmen zhège xiàngmù kàn qǐlái tài cǎotái bānzi le ba?
Our project looks so makeshift, doesn't it?
B: 确实，计划表都没写清楚，真有你的！
Quèshí, jìhuà biǎo dōu méi xiě qīngchǔ, zhēn yǒu nǐ de!
Totally. We didn't even clarify the timeline — classic you!
These buzzwords not only reflect the humor and creativity of the Chinese internet but also capture the realities of modern life. From the rush of the city to the art of staying composed, from work stress to finding joy in imperfection, these phrases have accompanied us through the ups and downs of 2024.
So as we step into 2025, let's ask ourselves: "City不city?" The world is a 草台班子 after all, so why not carry some 偷感 and 松弛感 with us along the way. 2025, let's keep calm and carry on! 大家加油！
新年快乐!
Xīnnián kuàilè!
Happy New Year!
(All the pics are from the Internet)
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