卷王

• Pinyin: juǎn wáng
• Hanzi breakdown: 卷 (overcompete) + 王 (king) -> king of overcompetition.

Meaning

卷王 means someone who outcompetes everyone through extreme effort or overwork.

It can be admiring, teasing, or critical, depending on whether the person is seen as disciplined or intensifying pressure for everyone. It is closely tied to 内卷 culture.

Examples

1. 他每天六点到图书馆，简直卷王。 He gets to the library at six every day - total grind king.
2. 组里卷王半夜还在改表格。 The grind king in our group was still editing spreadsheets at midnight.
3. 别把自律的人都叫卷王。 Don't call everyone who is disciplined a 卷王.

Usage Guide

Context: school, workplace, peer competition

Tone: teasing, admiring, critical

Do Say

• 极度努力的同学可被调侃卷王。（It fits intense study habits.）
• 同事过度加班也可叫卷王。（It can critique overwork.）

Don't Say

• 把健康自律直接贬成卷王。（Effort is not always harmful.）

Common Mistakes

• Do not use 卷王 without a competitive context.

Origin & History

It combines 卷 from 内卷 with 王, king, to name the most intense competitor.

Cultural Context

Era: 2020s

Generation: Students and young workers

Social background: Exam and office cultures

Regional notes: Common in Mainland school and workplace slang.