Category: News Vocabulary

剩女/剩男 (shèngnǚ/shèngnán) woman of excess/ man of excess/leftover woman and man

限量版 (xiànliàngbǎn) limited edition Usage: “限量版”有别于普通商品，它是具有特殊设计或纪念意义的，用限量销售的方式产生物以稀为贵的效果，然后高价卖出。一般限量产品比较受人推崇和关注，有时候还很难买到。
A “限量版” is different from an ordinary commodity. It is a special design or commemorative edition that is sold in limited quantities in order to make it rarer and more expensive. In general, limited edition products are more popular with greater attention, and are sometimes difficult to purchase.

逆袭 (nìxí) counterattack Usage: “逆袭”是网络用语，指较弱的一方在逆境中反击成功，具有积极向上的精神，是正能量的一种体现。The word “逆袭” comes from the internet, and it means when the weaker side successfully counterattacks while facing adversity. It has a positive spirit and is an embodiment of positive energy.

二把刀 (èr bǎ dāo)amateur; smatterer Usage: “二把刀”原来是指厨师的副手,后来指技术水平、工作能力不够高或者是对某项知识了解得还不够的人。当这个词用来形容说话人自己时表示自谦，用来形容别人时，有贬义色彩。"二把刀" originally meant assistant cook. Later, it refers to a person whose skill, ability for work, or knowledge is not enough. You can also hear people say it about themselves to show modesty. If it is used on somebody else, then it carries the derogatory meaning.

压根（儿）(yàgēn(r)) from the start; altogether Usage: “压根儿”的意思是从来，根本。一般用在否定句中,放在否定词前面使用。多用于口语中。"压(根儿) {yàgēn(r)}", often used in spoken language, means altogether or in the first place. It is usually used in negative sentences and put before the negative words.

墙头草 (qiángtóu cǎo) fence-sitter; a person who follows the crowd; floater Usage:

发烧友 (fāshāo yǒu) enthusiast; fan Usage: “发烧友”指对某种事物,比如音乐、足球或者汽车等，疯狂喜爱的一类人。[en]"发烧友" refers to a group of people who are enthusiastic fans of something, e.g. music, football, or car etc.[/en]

倒栽葱 (dào zāi cōng) to fall head over heels Usage: “倒栽葱”的字面意义是葱根朝上。它用来形容头朝下脚朝上栽跟斗，摔得很重的样子，也比喻一次惨重的失败。“倒栽葱”literally means a reversed-planted green onion. It is used to describe the appearance of falling head over heels, and it is also a metaphor of a total failure.

冷不丁 (lěngbudīng) unexpectedly Usage: “冷不丁”是方言，也说“冷不防”，指事情发生得很突然，说话人之前没有意识或者预料到。As a dialect, “冷不丁” means unexpectedly or suddenly. We also say “冷不防”.