Recently, the renowned linguistics magazine Yaowenjiaozi (《咬文嚼字》yǎo wén jiáo zì) in China unveiled the top 10 Chinese buzzwords of the year, and we we've picked a few of them to share with you, backed by thoughtful interpretation of the magazine.

显眼包 xiǎn yǎn bāo

The term "显眼包" is used to profile something or someone that stands out in a crowd, especially when someone is keen to seek attention. In current social circumstances, the term conveys more positive emotions, meaning to highlight something cute, vibrant and interesting. This reflects people's recognition of personalized and diversified expression. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the cultural relics in the museum, though serious historical documents in nature, can also become "显眼包" when they have vivid expressions and lively gestures.

搭子 dā zi

"搭子" is a Shanghainese term initially used to refer to card-playing companions. Its usage has since extended to refer to companions for any activity. Nowadays, the trending usage of "搭子" reflects a new type of social relationship model. This precise companionship requires no deliberate effort but allows for freedom of choice of each party. Through social media platforms, young people can now find a "搭子" for all kinds of activities such as dining, traveling, working out, and even children caring, shopping, and losing weight.

多巴胺__   duō bā ān__

(can be both noun and verb in the blank)

Dopamine, an organic chemical in the human body, can affect people's exercise, cognition, emotions, and sleep quality. Its amount and balance are crucial to human health and happiness. This year, the term "多巴胺穿搭" ( literally translates to "dopamine dressing") went viral. Exquisite and low-key dressing style is put away. On the contrary, high-saturation colors and bright clothing matches are more favored, which potentially brings people more joy. As the term "多巴胺穿搭" emerged with popularity for its joyful nature, its usage has also broadened, such as "多巴胺景区(dopamine scenic area)" "多巴胺漫步(dopamine strolling)" "多巴胺饮食(dopamine diet)" "多巴胺休假(dopamine vacation)".

情绪价值 qíng xù jià zhí

"情绪价值" is originally a marketing concept, referring to the difference between the emotional benefits and emotional costs perceived by customers. The popular concept of "情绪价值 emotional value" today is largely involved in interpersonal relationships, indicating a person's ability to influence the emotions of others. The frequent mention of "情绪价值" reflects the need for higher psychological comfort in the modern society. 

质疑__ ，理解__ ，成为__    zhì yí__ , lǐ jiě__ , chéng wéi__

The buzzword set "质疑 理解 成为 (zhì yí lǐ jiě chéng wéi)" literally translates to "question, comprehend, become". It originates from the hit Chinese TV show Love Apartment, in which a female lead rejected the male lead's proposal to chase after her career aspirations. The viewers initially questioned her decision, but later realized that love is not indispensable in life, as the societal values shifted. Also, with the booming of social media, the switch of netizens' mindset soon becomes a sentence format that one can use in various contexts (question__ , comprehend__ , become__ ).