Meaning:
“戏” means “drama,” and “精” refers to someone who is an expert. This term is coined by Chinese netizens to refer to those who are always exaggerating and trying to draw people’s attention, somewhat similar to the English phrase “drama queen.” With a derogatory connotation, this term needs to be used carefully, perhaps between friends in joking situations.
Example:
A: 听说小林和女朋友准备结婚了？
Tīngshuō xiǎolín hé nǚpéngyǒu zhǔnbèi jiéhūn le?
Have you heard that Xiaolin is marrying his girlfriend?
B: 不知道，那个女生是个戏精，一会儿闹分手一会儿要结婚。
Bù zhīdào, nàgè nǚshēng shì gè xìjīng, yīhuìr nào fēnshǒu, yīhuìr yào jiéhūn。
No. That girl is a drama queen. One day she says she would break up with him, and the next day she wants to marry him.
(First editor: Stephanie Yang)