Chinese Internet Slang: Are Your Eyes Feeling Spicy?

After looking at the photo above are your eyes feeling spicy? What I mean is, does it feel like a pepper has been squirted in your eyes? In Chinese, there is a fabulous internet phrase to describe when you are looking at something awful: 辣眼睛 (làyǎnjīng) or "spicy eyes." It is a way of commenting on something that makes your eyes feel like they have been damaged, similar to the English phrase "makes my eyes bleed."

"辣 (là)" means burn/sting/bite.
"眼睛 (yǎnjīng)" means eyes.

On the internet in China, this word is used to describe things that people like to "吐槽 (tǔcáo) complain" about, it's something they can't stand to look at. It is an internet slang for when you read or see something that is super ridiculous or surprising. You can use it to refer to an article that is completely ridiculous or a look that is a complete eyesore.

Example:
Tā zhè shēn zhuāngbàn zhēn shì làyǎnjīng!
她 这 身 装扮 真 是 辣眼睛！
The way she is dressed up makes my eyes bleed.

Dialogue:
A: Wǒmen gǎnjǐn líkāi zhè gè dìfāng ba!
A: 我们 赶紧 离开 这 个 地方 吧！
A. Let's quickly leave this place!

B: Zěnmelā? Wǒmen cái gāng lái.
B：怎么啦？ 我们 才 刚 来。
B: What's wrong? We just got here.

A：Zhè lǐ de chǎngjǐng tài làyǎnjīng le, wǒ shí zài shòu bú le.
A：这里 的 场景 太 辣眼睛 了，我 实 在 受 不 了。
A: The setting here is too ridiculous, I really can't stand it.

Learn more awesome internet slang that will surprise your Chinese friends:

自黑 (zìhēi) self-mockery

When You Feel Crushed, Use "心塞(xīnsāi)" in Mandarin

In both English and Mandarin Chinese we use the phrase "pulling my leg(s)". However, the two expressions have different meanings and uses in the two languages.

In English, you can use "pulling my leg" as a way to say that you're joking or telling lies in a humorous way:
"He told me we'd be meeting Lady Gaga, but it turns out he was just pulling my leg."

In Mandarin Chinese we have the phrase 拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ) which is used in a more literal way of meaning "hold back someone or some animals' hind (back) legs". Think of someone trying to move forward and complete a task but being hindered by someone else.

拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ) could be used as a way to say that someone is "holding you back" or impeding on your progress. In a joking sense, 拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ) could be used among friends when discussing missing out on some opportunities at some romantic situations with someone!

So, what is the meaning of 拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ)?

拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ) a verb meaning to hinder somebody; to hold someone back;
拖 (tuō): drag, haul, delay
后腿 (hòutuǐ): hind legs

Examples of 拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ) being used in a sentence:

Háizi yào dào Běijīng qù gōngzuò, nǐ kě bié tuō hòutuǐ.
孩子 要 到 北京 去 工作， 你 可 别 拖 后腿。
The kid wants to go and work in Beijing; you shouldn't try to hold him back.

Tā shì gè tuō hòutuǐ de rén.
他 是 个 拖 后腿 的 人。
He is a disruptive person.

At times, you may use "拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ)" in...Read more

Quiz:

A. Your colleagues at the office have not finished their part of the report.
B. Your friend wore out your legs and now they are sore.
C. You haven't studied for your exam.
D. You forgot to buy Christmas presents.
See Answer