薅羊毛

• Pinyin: hāo yáng máo
• Hanzi breakdown: 薅 (pluck) + 羊毛 (wool) -> extract small benefits from a source.

Meaning

To take advantage of deals, discounts, loopholes, or small benefits. It is usually about saving money or getting freebies.

薅羊毛 can be harmless bargain hunting or exploitative abuse of promotions. The tone depends on whether the person is simply savvy or gaming the system.

Examples

1. 双十一大家都在薅羊毛。 Everyone is out 薅羊毛 on Singles' Day.
2. 这个优惠券可以薅羊毛，快领。 This coupon is a good way to 薅羊毛; grab it quickly.
3. 薅羊毛别过度，账号可能被封。 Don't overdo the 薅羊毛; your account might get banned.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, coupons, online deals

Tone: savvy, playful, opportunistic

Do Say

• 这个活动适合薅羊毛。（This promotion is good for getting a bargain.）
• 薅羊毛也要看规则。（Bargain hunting still needs to follow rules.）

Don't Say

• 把欺诈行为轻描淡写成薅羊毛。（Fraud is not just bargain hunting.）

Common Mistakes

• Using it for normal shopping without any deal or advantage.

Origin & History

Literally means plucking wool from a sheep, extended to extracting small gains from a system.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s onward

Generation: E-commerce users and deal hunters

Social background: Mainstream online shopping culture

Regional notes: Very common around Mainland shopping festivals.