Observer ABC: A Lesson in Internet Language and Other Useful Phrases

Let’s make sense of this simulated MSN conversation between a Chinese boyfriend and girlfriend.

First, we need to learn the essential vocabulary:

A. Nanzihan 男子汉: is the essence of manliness. Someone who is considered a Nanzihan is typically strong, responsible and courageous.

B. 放鸽子 fang gezi: What you say to someone if you two already have plans, but the other party cancels without telling you.

C. 哥们儿 gemenr: What men in Beijing typically call their good male friends

D. 喝高了 he gao le: to drink a lot to a point of excitement…

E. PLMM
PL=Internet language for pretty:piaoliang:漂亮
MM=meimei:美眉 Internet language for a pretty girl

F. 给我跪搓板儿 gei wo gui cuo banr: Literally means “make you kneel on a washboard for me.” i.e. this guy does not want to go home anytime soon.

G. 5555: Internet language. The Chinese for 5 is 五(wu). A number of wu’s linked together sounds similar to a moaning sob, thus 5555 represents crying.

Now you’re ready for the translation:

PLMM: 你竟敢放我鸽子！！！昨晚上又和你那几个哥们儿喝高了吧？
How dare you cancel on me with out telling me!!! Let me guess, last night you went out with those friends of yours and got real drunk, right?

Nanzihan: …

PLMM:等着吧，回家以后给我跪搓板儿～
Just wait, when you get home I will make you kneel on a washboard~

Nanzihan: ☹ 555555555…
Nanzihan: ☹ woo woo woo…

If you are interested in learning more about Chinese Internet language and blog culture look no further than CIC’s China IWOM blog. Stay tuned for more Observer ABC…