Food & Lifestyle

Introduction

Modern Mandarin slang moves fast, and one of the best ways to hear that energy is through how people talk about food and lifestyle. This chapter gathers the expressions speakers reach for in that space, so you can catch the humour, attitude, and social texture behind the words instead of translating them too literally.

Use these phrases as a guide to how internet culture, group identity, and everyday conversation shape contemporary Chinese.

All Chinese Slang in This Chapter (40)

1. 小确幸 xiǎo què xìng A small but definite moment of everyday happiness.
2. 干饭 gàn fàn To eat with enthusiasm, often with a joking sense of "time to feast."
3. 干饭人 gàn fàn rén A person who is cheerfully devoted to eating and mealtime.
4. 奶茶续命 nǎi chá xù mìng Relying on milk tea to get through tiredness, stress, or a long day.
5. 吃土 chī tǔ To be broke after spending too much money.
6. 烟火气 yān huǒ qì The warm, lively feeling of ordinary everyday life.
7. 仪式感 yí shì gǎn A sense of occasion created by small rituals or thoughtful details.
8. 探店 tàn diàn To visit and review a restaurant, cafe, shop, or venue.
9. 种草 zhǒng cǎo To make someone want to buy, try, or like something through recommendation.
10. 拔草 bá cǎo To lose interest in something one previously wanted, often after research or trying it.
11. 囤货 dùn huò To stock up on goods for later use.
12. 断舍离 duàn shě lí Decluttering by cutting off, letting go of, and separating from unnecessary things.
13. 轻食 qīng shí A light, health-oriented meal style, often salads, grain bowls, or low-oil dishes.
14. 露营风 lù yíng fēng A camping-inspired aesthetic in clothing, cafes, photos, or home goods.
15. 围炉煮茶 wéi lú zhǔ chá A leisure activity of sitting around a small stove to brew tea and roast snacks.
16. 村咖 cūn kā A countryside or village cafe, often marketed as a rural leisure destination.
17. 主理人 zhǔ lǐ rén The person who runs and shapes an independent brand, shop, studio, or project.
18. 精酿 jīng niàng Craft beer or craft brewing, especially small-batch beer with distinctive flavors.
19. 微醺 wēi xūn Slightly tipsy in a pleasant, controlled way.
20. 精致生活 jīng zhì shēng huó A polished lifestyle focused on taste, detail, and quality rituals.
21. 囤囤鼠 tún tún shǔ A playful name for someone who loves stocking up on goods.
22. 咖啡续命 kā fēi xù mìng Using coffee to keep oneself functioning through tiredness.
23. 减脂餐 jiǎn zhī cān A meal designed for fat loss, usually controlled in calories and macros.
24. 夜宵局 yè xiāo jú A late-night snack gathering with friends or coworkers.
25. 早咖晚酒 zǎo kā wǎn jiǔ A lifestyle shorthand for coffee in the morning and drinks at night.
26. brunch局 brunch jú A planned brunch meetup, usually with friends and photos.
27. 低卡餐 dī kǎ cān A low-calorie meal marketed or chosen for lighter eating.
28. 一人食 yī rén shí A meal designed for or enjoyed by one person.
29. 懒人饭 lǎn rén fàn A quick, low-effort meal for when someone does not want to cook much.
30. 空气炸锅文学 kōng qì zhà guō wén xué Playful talk or content that over-celebrates air-fryer recipes.
31. 咖啡搭子 kā fēi dā zǐ A coffee buddy, especially someone you regularly get coffee with.
32. 奶茶搭子 nǎi chá dā zǐ A bubble-tea or milk-tea buddy.
33. 围炉冰茶 wéi lú bīng chá A summer-style tea gathering modeled after “围炉煮茶” but with iced tea.
34. 夜市搭子 yè shì dā zǐ A buddy for visiting night markets together.
35. 下饭综艺 xià fàn zōng yì A variety show that is easy and pleasant to watch while eating.
36. 下饭视频 xià fàn shì pín A video that is easy to watch while eating.
37. 穷精致 qióng jīng zhì Trying to live tastefully or delicately on a limited budget.
38. 低压生活 dī yā shēng huó A low-pressure lifestyle focused on reducing stress and expectations.
39. 周末微度假 zhōu mò wēi dù jiǎ A short weekend getaway that feels like a small vacation.
40. 城市漫游 chéng shì màn yóu Slowly wandering through a city to explore streets, cafes, shops, or neighborhoods.