Category: News Vocabulary

淡定(dàndìng) to be steady and calm Usage: “淡定”是一种网络语言，指在危险、困难或压力面前依旧保持一种沉着、冷静的态度。
“淡定” is a phrase from the internet. It refers to someone who, when facing danger, difficulty, or pressure, still keeps calm and steady.

小清新 (xiǎoqīngxīn) fresh and clean Usage: “小清新”最初指的是一种以清新唯美、随意创作风格见长的音乐类型，也就是人们常说的Indie Pop。之后逐渐扩散到文学、电影、摄影等各种文化艺术领域，具有淡雅、自然、朴实、超脱的特点。在中国，偏清新、唯美的文艺作品，或生活方式深受清新风格影响的一批年轻人，也被叫做“小清新”。
“小清新” originally refered to a fresh, cute, and free style of music commonly known as Indie Pop. Gradually, it spread to a variety of cultural and artistic fields of literature, film, and photography, all with the characteristics of being elegant, natural, simple, and detached. In China, young people who prefer fresh, aesthetic literary and artistic works, or whose lifestyles have been influenced by this style, are also known as “小清新.”

压力山大 (yālì shān dà) under too much pressure Usage: “压力山大”谐音人名“亚历山大”，是用一种诙谐方法表达压力像山一样大。这种现象在大都市的白领中普遍存在，因为就业、住房、养老等问题，他们通常面对的压力非常大。
“压力山大” is a homophone with the name Alexander, and is a witty expression that describes one’s stress is large as a mountain. This phenomenon is widespread among white-collar workers in large cities. They usually face tremendous pressure due to issues such as employment, housing, and looking after their parents.

萝莉 (Luólì) Loli Usage: 一种说法是这个词源于一个法语词，译为太可爱了，非常漂亮。常用来形容孩子。还有种说法是这个词源于美籍俄裔小说家弗拉基米尔·纳博科夫的长篇小说《Lolita》，这本小说描述一名中年教授迷恋上12岁女孩Lolita的故事。萝莉是洛丽塔（Lolita）的缩写，凡是带有剧中女主角特质者，就被称为“Lolita”或“Loli”。现在“萝莉”常被用来形容面貌可爱并且看起来比较萌的小女孩。
Some believe that “Loli” comes from French and means pretty and cute, often describing a child. Others explain the word’s origin as an abbreviation for Lolita, the name of a famous novel by Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov. This novel describes the story of a middle-aged professor obsessed with a 12-year-old girl named Lolita. Since then, girls who have the traits of leading actresses are called “Lolita” or “Loli.” Now, it is often used to describe cute girls.

苹果 (píngguǒ) apple; Apple Inc. Usage: “苹果”的本义是一种水果，具有丰富的营养成分，但它也是美国一家高科技公司翻译成中文的名字，该公司生产的电脑、手机、音乐播放器等闻名世界。
The original meaning of “苹果” is a kind of fruit known as the apple, which is very nutritious. It is also the Chinese name of an American high-tech company. The company is famous for its computers, cell phones, music players, and more.

吐槽(tǔ cáo) to ridicule Usage: 在网络上，“吐槽”多表示揶揄、拆台。 “吐槽”绝对不等于抱怨、发泄。网络上很多人误解了“吐槽”的真正含义，把“吐槽”理解为单纯的抱怨，是不对的。
Online, “吐槽” usually means being ridiculed or undercut. It is important thing to note that “吐槽” does not mean to complain or vent. Many people online misunderstand the true meaning of “吐槽,” as is does not mean simply to complain.

躺枪 (Tǎngqiāng) hit while lying down Usage: “躺枪”是“躺着也中枪”的缩写，躺着已经够低了，居然都能被子弹打中，意思基本上类似于伤及无辜。表达了当事人一种无可奈何的自嘲的心情。表明已经刻意低调不让自己成为别人的话题了，但还是被人闲话了，感到非常无辜。延伸义也指无缘无故受到牵连。“躺枪” is short for “躺着也中枪.” Expressing a sense of helplessness, it means to be shot despite lying down low enough to escape danger. It is often used in a self-deprecating manner. For instance, someone tries earnestly to avoid being discussed but still becomes the topic of gossip, which must be irritating. The phrase has also come to represent troubles that arise without rhyme or reason.

壁纸 (bìzhǐ) wallpaper Usage: “壁纸”是用来装饰房间墙面的纸或者布，现在也可以用来指电脑或者手机屏幕上所使用的各种背景图片。
“壁纸”is paper or cloth used to decorate the walls of one’s house. It can also refer to pictures that are used for computer or cell phone screens.

群发 (qún fā) to group message Usage: “群发”指通过软件或其他方式对受众进行群体式的信息发送，如通过手机、电子信箱、微博等发送消息给众人。
“群发” means to send messages to groups by using software or other means，such as mobile phones, email, or microblogs.

及时雨 (jí shí yǔ) timely rain; timely help； Usage: “及时雨”本义是指在庄稼正需要水时下的雨，比喻在关键时刻能解救危难的人或者事。
The original meaning of “及时雨” refers to rain water needed by crops. It can be a metaphor for a person or thing that, at a crucial moment, provides rescue from distress.