低头族

• Pinyin: dī tóu zú
• Hanzi breakdown: 低头 (lower head) + 族 (group) -> phone-looking group.

Meaning

People who constantly look down at their phones.

It critiques phone overuse in public, commuting, family time, or walking. The tone is cautionary and health-conscious.

Examples

1. 地铁里到处都是低头族。 The subway is full of people glued to their phones.
2. 过马路别当低头族。 Don't be one of those phone-zombies when crossing the road.
3. 低头族久了，脖子很容易酸。 If you're always hunched over your phone, your neck will easily get sore.

Usage Guide

Context: health, commuting, family

Tone: cautionary, critical

Do Say

• 低头族要注意颈椎健康。（Phone addicts should watch neck health.）
• 走路别做低头族。（Do not stare at your phone while walking.）

Don't Say

• 用低头族嘲笑有正当工作需求的人。（Some phone use is necessary.）

Common Mistakes

• Using it for anyone who briefly checks a phone; it implies habitual overuse.

Origin & History

Modern compound from 低头, "lower the head," plus 族, a group label.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s-2020s

Generation: Broadly understood

Social background: Urban commuters, students, and workers

Regional notes: Common across Mainland China.