Cool Chinese words consist of many Chinese slang words widely used in Chinese cultures. You can hardly obtain these words from textbooks or classrooms. What’s more, people are constantly updating it online. It may not be easy to learn, but mastering them makes you sound cool in real-world Chinese!
To make things easier, we’ve put together 10 cool Chinese words for you. Let’s roll.
Why Learn Cool Chinese Words?
The Chinese language is not just about reading and memorising… Boring, not? In fact, it has more exciting parts like the cool Chinese words and funny Chinese words.
If you’ve dived deep enough into Chinese, you’ll see that this language has slang words like English too. For instance, 土 (tǔ) is similar to tacky in English slang words, meaning old-fashioned. There are several reasons you should learn cool Chinese words.
Learning cool words in Chinese makes you sound more like a Chinese native. They will enhance your daily communication in China. You’ll also be able to impress your native Chinese friends and fit in the gang!
Besides, cool Chinese words are also fun to learn. It will largely increase your interest and motivation in learning Chinese. You can immerse in-depth into the Chinese language and learn faster.
These cool Chinese words or slang words are also essential elements of Chinese culture. By learning these words, you can spare yourself from the embarrassment of misunderstanding.
10 Cool Chinese Words for Chinese Learners
1. 土 (tǔ)
土 (tǔ) is soil or dust when being translated literally. However, it has a different meaning in Chinese. People use 土 (tǔ) to belittle someone or something outdated or old-fashioned.
It has a similar meaning to “peasant” in English slang. People initially used it for peasants who worked with soil and looked less elegant.
Example:
他的打扮很土。
(Tā de dǎbàn hěn tǔ)
His outfit is outdated.
2. 神 (shén)
Its translation in English is “God.” Chinese people use it to praise someone with godly skills. For instance, 男神(nán shén) means an ideal man, and 股神 (gǔ shén) is for people who are skilled at the stock market.
Chinese people even further exaggregate with the words YYDS in Chinese, which is defined as eternal God (永远的神, yǒngyuǎn de shén). It is similar to the English slang word ”GOAT,“ meaning “Greatest of All Time.”
Example:
周杰伦是我的男神。
(Zhōu jié lún shì wǒ de nán shén.)
Jay Chou is my ideal man.
3. 算了 (suàn le)
算 (suàn) means to count something. But 算了 (suàn le) has the meaning of “whatever,” “forget about it,” or “let it go.” We also use it to wrap up something.
You can use this word in both everyday scenarios or more serious situations.
Example:
算了，别再提这件事了。
(Suàn le, bié zài tí zhè jiàn shì le.)
Forget it, don’t mention it again.
4. 94 九四 (jiǔ sì)
This is more like a number slang for the Chinese word 就是(jiù shì), meaning “exactly” or “precisely.” It is widely used on the Internet for online chatting.
The term 就是(jiù shì) is used in all kinds of situation, like 这就是我们公司的文化 – This is the culture of our company. However, 94 is used more for daily occasions.
Example:
他唱歌真棒。
(Tā Chànggē zhēn bàng.)
He sings great.
就是，我也这么觉得。
(Jiùshì, wǒ yě zhème juédé.)
Exactly, I think so too.
5. 亲 (qīn)
It is a short form of the word “亲爱的 (qīn ài de),” which means “dear” or “dearest”. “亲(qīn)” is also a modern way equivalent to “baby” or “bae” in the Western.
Besides, Chinese people use this word as a polite way to greet. Before starting a conversation, many customer service staff will say “亲(qīn)” to their customer.
Example:
亲，有什么可以帮到你的吗？
(Qīn, yǒu shé me kěyǐ bāng dào nǐ de ma?)
Dear, is there anything I can help you with?
6. 哥们 (gē men)
The Chinese people use the word 哥们 (gē men), which means “bro” or “buddy” in English. It is more like a ride-or-die brotherhood for the Chinese people. We often use this word for our close friends.
Example:
这是我的好哥们。
(Zhè shì wǒ de hǎo gēmen.)
This is my buddy.
7. 也是醉了 (yě shì zuì le)
醉(zuì) means drunk, but this word has more extensive meanings. 也是醉了 (yě shì zuì le) is used to show dissatisfaction or speechlessness towards something ridiculous in a gentle way.
Literally translated to “I must also be drunk”, Chinese people say it with the message of “I cannot understand you.”
Example:
他为了游戏废寝忘食，我也是醉了。
(Tā wèile yóuxì fèiqǐnwàngshí, wǒ yěshì zuìle.)
He forgets all about eating and sleeping for the game. I totally cannot understand him.
8. 你行你上 (nǐ xíng nǐ shàng)
The word 你行你上 (nǐ xíng nǐ shàng) is often used when people are annoyed or to challenge another person.
Some people will say 你行你上，不行别bb. The literal translation is “you can you up, no can no bb.”; And the actual meaning is “if you can do it, then you do it. If you can’t do it, don’t say it’s simple or don’t criticise others.”
Example:
他得冠军全凭努力和坚持。你行你上啊！
(Tā dé guànjūn quán píng nǔlì hé jiānchí. Nǐ xíng nǐ shàng a!)
He won the championship with hard work and perseverance. You can you up!
9. 去你的! (qù nǐ de!)
去你的! (qù nǐ de!) can be used in both harmless and rude ways. You can jokingly say 去你的! (qù nǐ de!) to mean “go away”. You can also say it as one of the bad words in Chinese to mean “f*ck off!” with a higher tone.
Example:
去你的，我不想再看到你。
(Qù nǐ de, wǒ bùxiǎng zài kàn dào nǐ.)
F*ck off, I don’t want to see you again.
10. 没门儿 (méi mén er)
门 (mén) means door, and the word 没门儿 (méi mén er) literally translates to “no door”. To be more precise, it means “no way” in Chinese.
Example:
想在我这里占便宜？ 没门儿！
(Xiǎng zài wǒ zhèlǐ zhànpiányí? Méimén er!)
Want to take advantage of me? No way!
Final Thoughts
If you have come this far – Congratulations! I hope you find these cool Chinese words interesting and fun!
To master these words, you should brave up and practice it with your Chinese friends. Or, you can subscribe to Maayot for more engaging Chinese stories!
