内卷

• 拼音: nèi juǎn
• 汉字拆解: 内 (inward) + 卷 (roll / spiral) -> competition curling inward without real progress.

含义

内卷 means wasteful overcompetition where everyone works harder but gains little.

It describes exhausting competition in school, work, industries, and consumer culture. The word usually carries criticism of a system, not admiration for healthy effort.

例句

1. 考研资料越买越多，大家都在内卷。
2. 这个岗位要求越来越细，太内卷了。
3. 别把正常进步误解成内卷。

用法指南

语境: school, workplace, social commentary

语气: critical, tired, analytical

正确说法

• 行业过度竞争可说内卷。（It fits wasteful overcompetition.）
• 学生互相比刷题也常叫内卷。（It describes excessive academic competition.）

错误说法

• 把任何努力学习都叫内卷。（Effort alone is not 内卷.）

常见错误

• Do not use 内卷 for normal improvement; diminishing returns matter.

起源与历史

An academic term for involution entered popular speech to describe stagnant, excessive competition.

文化背景

时代: 2020s

世代: Millennials and Gen Z, now broadly understood

社会背景: Urban students and professionals

地区说明: Used nationwide in education, work, and social commentary.