Hey everyone! Welcome back! If you’re diving into Xiaohongshu (小红书), you’ve probably noticed that it comes with its own unique language – a mix of internet slang, Chinese idioms, and platform-specific jargon. Understanding this lingo is key to navigating the platform like a pro and connecting with the community. This guide will break down all the essential terms and phrases you need to know, making you feel right at home in the world of "Little Red Book"!

I. The Basics: Core Concepts of Xiaohongshu Slang

Before we jump into specific terms, let’s understand the fundamental concepts that shape Xiaohongshu lingo:

1. "Planting Grass" (种草) & "Pulling Weeds" (拔草): These are the two most essential concepts.

   • "Planting Grass" (种草): This means you've seen a product or experience on Xiaohongshu that has sparked your interest and desire to buy/try it. Think of it as the seed of wanting something being planted in your mind.
   • "Pulling Weeds" (拔草): This means you finally bought/tried something, only to realize it wasn't as good as you thought. It's like pulling the "weed" of desire out of your mind – you're no longer interested in it.

2. Community-Driven Language: A lot of Xiaohongshu slang is derived from its user-generated content and interactions. Users create new terms and adapt existing ones to describe their experiences.

3. Playful & Expressive: The language used on Xiaohongshu is often playful, expressive, and somewhat dramatic. This helps users convey their feelings and create engaging content.

II. Must-Know Xiaohongshu Slang Terms

Here's a comprehensive list of common Xiaohongshu slang, categorized for easier understanding:

A. Shopping & Product-Related Terms:

• "An Li" (安利): To recommend a product, service, or experience enthusiastically. It’s like giving someone a "strong recommendation".
• "Good Things/Good Stuff" (好物): Refers to products or items that are highly recommended for their quality or value.
• "Hit List" (必买清单): The list of products you absolutely must buy.
• "Review" (测评): A thorough assessment of a product's quality, performance, and value.
• "Open Box" (开箱): A video or series of photos showing a user unboxing a newly purchased product.
• "Dupe" / "Substitute" (平替): An affordable alternative to a high-end or expensive product.
• "Old Driver" / "Veteran" (老司机): A user who is very experienced with a specific type of product or category, usually very knowledgeable.
• "Small White Mouse" (小白鼠): Someone who tries out new products and shares their experiences.
• "Blind Box" (盲盒): A box containing a mystery item, often a collectible.
• "Stocking" / "Hoarding" (囤货): Buying a large quantity of a product because you like it a lot or expect it to sell out.
• "Exploding Money/Wallet" (爆款): A very popular item that sells out quickly.
• "Anti-Grass Planting" (反向种草): Sharing a negative experience that discourages others from buying a product.

B. Social Interaction & User-Related Terms:

• "Little Red Potato" (小红薯): A Xiaohongshu user (or "薯片" which means "potato chips" and is used interchangeably with "小红薯").
• "Sister" (姐妹) or "Elder Sister" (姐姐): Common terms of endearment among female users.
• "Brother" (兄弟) or "Older Brother" (哥哥): Common terms of endearment among male users, or between male and female users.
• "Follow Back" (回关): The act of following another user after they’ve followed you.
• "Private Message" (私信): Sending a direct message to another user.
• "Interact" (互动): Engaging with other users through comments, likes, and shares.
• "Hidden King" / "Low Profile Master" (隐藏大佬): Someone who doesn’t post frequently but provides really useful information.
• "Fans" (粉丝): Followers of a user.
• "Big V" (大V): A popular and influential user, similar to an "influencer."

C. Emotional & Expressive Terms:

• "Eating Dirt" (吃土): Being broke after overspending (usually due to Xiaohongshu "planting grass").
• "Lemon Essence" (柠檬精): Feeling jealous or envious of others.
• "Wow" / "Amazing" (哇塞): An exclamation of surprise or excitement.
• "Crying" / "Sad" (哭哭): Expressing disappointment or sadness.
• "Healing" (治愈): Describing content that provides comfort or positive emotions.
• "Fragrant" (真香): A phrase used when a user changes their initial negative opinion about something and ends up liking it.
• "Kneeling" / "Pleading" (跪求): A humorous way to show that you are really eager to learn more information.
• "Surrendered" (被降服): A humorous way of showing that you were easily convinced to buy/try something.

D. Content & Post-Related Terms:

• "Note" (笔记): A post shared by a user on Xiaohongshu.
• "Dry Goods" (干货): Useful, helpful, practical information or tips.
• "Inspiration" (灵感): Content that sparks ideas or creativity.
• "Sharing" (分享): The act of posting content on the platform.
• "Daily" (日常): Everyday life, routines, and experiences.
• "OOTD" (Outfit Of The Day) (今日穿搭): A post showcasing one’s outfit for the day.
• "Aesthetics" (氛围感): Describing content that has a visually pleasing or artistic quality.
• "Vlog" / "Video Blog" (Vlog): A video post that documents a user's experiences.

E. Trending & Pop Culture Terms:

• "Squatting" (蹲): Waiting for a product to restock or go on sale.
• "Make-Up Before Sleep" (睡前卸妆): A popular post type where users show their makeup removal routine.
• "Weekend Must Dos" (周末必做): A post that recommends fun things to do on the weekend.
• "Must Visit" (必打卡): A post that recommends must-visit places in a specific city or country.

III. Putting it All Together: Examples in Context

Here are a few examples of how these slang terms are used in real Xiaohongshu conversations:

• "OMG! I saw this lipstick on Xiaohongshu and it completely planted grass on me!" (OMG! 我在小红书上看到这支口红，彻底给我种草了!)
• "I finally bought that face mask and I have to say it pulled weeds! It was terrible!" (我终于买了那个面膜，我必须说它拔草了！太糟糕了!)
• "This travel guide is dry goods! Thank you so much for sharing!" (这个旅行攻略真是干货！非常感谢你的分享!)
• "I'm eating dirt this month! Xiaohongshu planted so much grass on me." (我这个月要吃土了！小红书给我种了太多草了。)
• "This cafe is a must visit! The aesthetics are perfect!" (这家咖啡店是必打卡！氛围感太棒了!)
• “This product is a good dupe for the expensive one and is so affordable, I am now stocking it!” (这个产品是昂贵产品的很好的替代品，而且非常实惠，我现在正在囤货！)
• "Please, Kneeling, tell me where can I buy this?" (请，跪求，告诉我哪里可以买到这个?)

IV. Tips for Learning Xiaohongshu Slang

• Immerse Yourself: Spend time browsing the app, reading posts, and paying attention to how users interact.
• Pay Attention to Context: Try to understand the meaning of the terms based on the situation in which they are used.
• Don't Be Afraid to Ask: If you're unsure of the meaning of a term, don't hesitate to ask other users.
• Practice: Use the slang in your own posts and comments to make it more natural.
• Use Translation Apps (With Caution): Translation apps can be helpful, but they’re not always 100% accurate with slang, so use them as a guide but also seek human clarification.
• Engage With Native Speakers: Interact with native Chinese speakers on the platform, which is the best way to learn and pick up these expressions.

V. Conclusion: Embrace the Lingo!

Understanding Xiaohongshu slang is an essential part of mastering the platform and fully engaging with the community. It’s more than just language; it’s a reflection of the platform’s culture and user experience. By learning these terms and phrases, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively, connect with other users, and enjoy the unique charm of Xiaohongshu.

So, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep practicing. You'll be speaking "Xiaohongshu-speak" like a pro before you know it!

Your Turn:

• What new terms did you learn from this guide?
• Have you encountered any other unique slang on Xiaohongshu?
• How has understanding the lingo enhanced your Xiaohongshu experience?

Share your thoughts, questions, and other slang terms in the comments! Let’s learn from each other and continue exploring this fascinating platform together!