Looking to level up your Mandarin and dive into Chinese internet culture? Chinese social media apps aren’t just for scrolling—they’re powerful tools for language learning and connecting with native speakers. One platform that has recently gained international attention is RedNote (小红书), as users search for new spaces following discussions of a potential TikTok ban.

In this article, I’ll introduce some of the best apps to help you connect with the Chinese-speaking world and teach you the latest internet slang—so you can confidently navigate the Chinese digital landscape!


1. RedNote (小红书) – The Reddit + Instagram of Chinese Social Media

RedNote, formerly known as Xiaohongshu, is a blend of Reddit, Instagram, and an e-commerce platform. It’s especially popular among young Chinese users who share posts about beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. You can find everything from honest product reviews to personal experiences and travel guides.

How It Helps You Learn:

✅ Jump into discussions and leave comments in Chinese—it’s a fun way to practice writing and see how native speakers express themselves.

✅ Follow posts and captions to expand your vocabulary while exploring topics that interest you.

✅ Pick up modern slang and everyday expressions that will make your Chinese sound more natural.


2. Bilibili (哔哩哔哩) – The YouTube of China

Bilibili started as an anime and gaming hub but has evolved into a diverse video-sharing platform with a strong focus on education and culture. Many of my friends have told me, “If I don’t know something, I check Bilibili first.” It’s also available as a website, making it easy to access from both mobile and desktop.

How It Helps You Learn:

🎥 Watch educational videos in Mandarin to improve your listening and comprehension.

💬 Engage with bullet comments (danmu, 弹幕) to interact in real-time and practice quick, natural responses.

📚 Follow language channels focused on grammar, pronunciation, and cultural insights.


3. Douyin (抖音) – The Original TikTok

Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok, where users share everything from entertainment to educational content. It has more location-based content and integrates with Chinese e-commerce platforms.

How It Helps You Learn:

🎵 Watch short, engaging videos with Mandarin subtitles to boost your listening and reading skills.

📢 Follow Mandarin-learning influencers who teach vocabulary and expressions through fun content.

📝 Join the comment section to practice informal, everyday Chinese.


4. Zhihu (知乎) – The Chinese Quora

Zhihu is a Q&A platform where users post in-depth answers and discuss topics ranging from technology and business to culture and personal experiences. It’s an ideal space for learners who want to explore formal, academic Mandarin and gain insights from industry professionals. It’s also available as a website.

How It Helps You Learn:

📖 Read detailed articles and discussions to boost your reading skills and expand your vocabulary.

✍️ Ask and answer questions to practice writing formal Chinese and improve fluency.

🌍 Discover new perspectives on Chinese culture and trends while learning industry-specific terms.


Popular Internet Slang and How to Use It

Just like English has expressions like "LOL" (laugh out loud) and "FOMO" (fear of missing out), Chinese has its own set of trendy slang that helps speakers sound more natural and relatable online.

Chinese internet slang often comes from abbreviations, homophones, and cultural references. Some terms originate from pinyin initials (e.g., YYDS), while others are numeric codes (e.g., 666 means "awesome" because "六" (liù) sounds like "溜" (liù), meaning smooth or cool). Many phrases also come from pop culture, viral memes, or even sarcasm, making them a fun way to connect with native speakers.

Chinese internet slang evolves quickly, and here are some of the most popular phrases now! 

YYDS (永远的神, yǒngyuǎn de shén) – "Forever a god," meaning something is legendary.

  • 这部电影太好看了，YYDS！
  • (Zhè bù diànyǐng tài hǎokàn le, YYDS!)
  • This movie is amazing, absolutely legendary!

绝绝子 (jué jué zǐ) – "Absolutely amazing!"

  • 这个蛋糕好吃到哭，绝绝子！
  • (Zhège dàngāo hǎochī dào kū, jué jué zǐ!)
  • This cake is so delicious it makes me want to cry!

内卷 (nèi juǎn) – Literally translate to "inward rolling," referring to excessive competition.

  • 这家公司每天加班到凌晨，真的很内卷。
  • (Zhè jiā gōngsī měitiān jiābān dào língchén, zhēn de hěn nèijuǎn.)
  • This company works overtime until midnight every day—such an exhausting cycle of competition!

上头 (shàng tóu) – "Obsessed," used when something is addictive or highly engaging.

  • 这首歌太好听了，我真的很上头！
  • (Zhè shǒu gē tài hǎotīng le, wǒ zhēn de shàng tóu!)
  • This song is so good! I’m really obsessed! 

点赞 (diǎn zàn) – "Give a like," commonly used to encourage engagement.

  • 这篇文章太棒了，记得点赞！
  • (Zhè piān wénzhāng tài bàng le, jìdé diǎn zàn!)
  • This article is awesome, don’t forget to like it!

打工人 (dǎ gōng rén) – "Worker," often used humorously to describe hard-working employees.

  • 早上八点上班，晚上十点下班，我就是个打工人。
  • (Zǎoshang bā diǎn shàngbān, wǎnshàng shí diǎn xiàbān, wǒ jiù shì gè dǎgōng rén.)
  • Working from 8 AM to 10 PM, I’m just another hard-working employee.


Final Thoughts

Social media is a fantastic way to enhance your Mandarin skills beyond textbooks. Whether you love watching videos, chatting, or reading blogs, there’s an app that fits your learning style:

✅ RedNote for discussions and written practice.

✅ Bilibili for watching educational videos with interactive bullet comments.

✅ Douyin for short, engaging content that improves listening and reading.

✅ Zhihu for in-depth reading and formal writing practice.

Next time you browse a Chinese social media app, try using some of these slang terms in comments or messages—you might even make a new friend along the way!

Have you used any of these apps to learn Chinese? What’s your favorite platform for language practice? Comment below 😊- I’d love to hear your thoughts!