表情包

• Pinyin: biǎo qíng bāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 表情 (expression) + 包 (pack) -> expression sticker pack.

Meaning

A reaction sticker or meme sticker pack used in chats.

表情包 can soften tone, joke, flirt, complain, or end a conversation. It is central to Chinese messaging culture.

Examples

1. 她回了一个表情包，气氛立刻缓和。 She replied with a sticker, and the atmosphere immediately eased.
2. 这个表情包我已经用三年了。 I've been using this sticker for three years.
3. 群聊没有表情包就少点灵魂。 A group chat without stickers loses some of its soul.

Usage Guide

Context: comments, group chats, entertainment

Tone: expressive, playful

Do Say

• 聊天尴尬时发个表情包缓和气氛。（A sticker can ease awkward chat.）

Don't Say

• 用表情包替代严肃道歉。（Serious moments need words.）

Common Mistakes

• Assuming it only means emoji; it often means image stickers.

Origin & History

From 表情, expression, plus 包, pack, referring to reusable chat stickers.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s-2020s

Generation: Students, Gen Z, and young office workers

Social background: Urban internet users

Regional notes: Mainland platforms like WeChat made sticker culture highly elaborate.