He added that popular terms are a reflection of society, how people live their lives and the overall mentality of the public.

“Some of this year’s catchwords demonstrate young people’s anxiety and to some extent are the way they express their emotions,” said Shi Menghui, a researcher from Institute of Modern Languages and Linguistics at Fudan University.

Below are the top 10:

1 Shuan Q: “thank you”

The Mandarin pronunciation of Shuan Q is similar to that of English for thank you. As well as being used to show gratitude, the term is often adopted by Chinese internet users when they feel speechless or fed up.

2 CPU/KTV/PPT/ICU: replacement for PUA

These English abbreviations are used as a substitute for another English term, PUA, or online pick-up artist, which describes how such online abusers sow self-doubt and confusion in the minds of their victims. Once, the abbreviation CPU was mistakenly used instead of PUA, sparking a craze to use other well-known abbreviations instead of PUA.

3 Yuan Zhong or Da Yuan Zhong: silly or unlucky guy

This is a colloquial term in northeastern China which originally described people who were in low spirits as a result of being wrongly treated. After being used by vloggers from northeastern China to mock themselves, the term became viral. Netizens use it to describe themselves or their close friends when they feel something is funny but also feel a bit sorry about it.

4 Xiao Zhen Zuo Ti Jia: specialist in doing academic tests from small towns

This refers to graduates from China’s top universities from small towns or cities who got high scores in the gruelling gao kao, or university entrance examination. Usually, the term is used in a self-deprecating manner, often to ridicule oneself. It implies they are only good at doing exams.

5 Tuan Zhang/Tuan: buying group director/buying group

During the Covid-19 lockdowns in many cities, residents relied on their communities’ buying groups to purchase daily essentials online. As a result, such buying group leaders have been dubbed “civilian heroes”.

6 Tui Tui Tui: retreat or get out

The verbal expression comes from an old woman who, in a viral video, posed a strange superstitious gesture and shouted “tui tui tui” when quarrelling with others. Amused by her behaviour, netizens imitated her voicing the term while hoping bad things, like the pandemic or bad luck, would stop.

7 Zui Ti: mouth replace

This refers to those who speak out on behalf of the wider public, it also indicates agreement or applause for their outspokenness.

8 Yi Zhong Hen Xin De XX: a very new kind of XX

This term first appeared in the comment sections of music platforms and is used to describe a new and difficult-to-understand type of music. It can also be used as a euphemism for criticism.

9 Fu Le Ni Ge Lao Liu: I admire you Lao Liu

Originating as a way of describing cheats who play video games, this has evolved into a popular, everyday term for those who win using unconventional or devious methods.

10 XX Ci Ke: XX assassinator

This was initially used to describe the “killer” prices people had to pay for ice cream at a shop where the price tags were partially hidden, i.e., the consumer was “assassinated” by the hidden price. It has since been adopted for expensive fruit.