种草

• Pinyin: zhǒng cǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 种 (plant) + 草 (grass) -> plant desire for something.

Meaning

To make someone want to buy, try, or like something through recommendation.

It is used for products, restaurants, shows, and travel spots. It can mean being influenced by others or actively recommending something.

Examples

1. 这支口红被同事种草了。 My colleague put me onto this lipstick.
2. 看完测评，我立刻被种草。 After watching the review, I was immediately sold on it.
3. 别再种草我了，钱包受不了。 Stop trying to tempt me into buying things; my wallet can't take it.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, social media, friends

Tone: tempted, playful

Do Say

• 这篇测评成功种草我了。（This review made me want it.）
• 我想给你种草这家小店。（I want to recommend this little shop to you.）

Don't Say

• 在严肃采购报告里说被种草。（Too informal for formal procurement language.）

Common Mistakes

• Only using it as "plant grass" literally; in slang it means creating desire.

Origin & History

Online shopping metaphor: planting grass means planting desire that grows.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s-2020s

Generation: Online shoppers and lifestyle users

Social background: Urban consumers

Regional notes: Mainstream in Mainland e-commerce and social content.