Hear the fascinating story of Arabic, and its relation to the English language, and learn about words in English that come from Arabic. Prepare to be amazed!

English by Eric

Does English come from Arabic?

In modern Chinese, 佛系fó xì refers to a relaxed and non-competitive attitude. It originated from young people’s response to life’s stress, symbolizing an acceptance of "whatever happens, happens."

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佛系fó xì

工具人gōng jù rén  literally means "tool person," referring to someone who is like a tool—used by others to fulfill tasks or solve problems. However, this term carries a playful or self-deprecating tone rather than a serious accusation.

工具人gōng jù rén

YYDS stands for 永远的神 (yǒng yuǎn de shén), which translates to “eternal god.” It’s used to express admiration, often for someone or something that’s considered the best or unbeatable.

YYDS

In Chinese, emo has transformed into a slang term. It no longer connects to music but instead refers to feeling sad, melancholic, or discouraged. It’s like saying “I’m in a mood,” but often with a playful or exaggerated tone.

社恐 (shè kǒng)literally means “social phobia,” but in modern slang, it’s not necessarily a clinical term. It’s used to describe someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in social situations.

社恐 (shè kǒng)

社交牛逼症 (shè jiāo niú bī zhèng) usually is shorted as 社牛 (shè niú): 社交能力非常强的人，像一头在社交场合“横冲直撞”的牛。
(Translation: "Social bull," meaning someone with strong social skills who navigates social situations boldly and confidently.)

社交牛逼症 (shè jiāo niú bī zhèng)

破防(pò fáng) literally means “breaking defenses,” like in a battle. In slang, it refers to the emotional moment when someone’s psychological defenses collapse.

破防 (pò fáng)

摆烂 (bǎi làn) literally means “to let things rot” or “to give up.” It’s a slang term used to describe a passive attitude when someone gives up trying to fix a difficult situation and just lets it go.