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Catch Phrase| 键盘侠(jiànpánxiá)

Writer:   | Editor: Stephanie Yang  | From:  | Updated: 2017-08-21

Meaning:

“键盘” means “keyboard,” and “侠” refers to a “righteous kung fu master” in old times. This term, roughly the equivalent of “keyboard warrior,” was coined by Chinese netizens to refer to those who are ready to judge and lash out at other people on the Internet, but are not brave enough in real life.

Example:

A: 每次出现路人围观见死不救的社会新闻,评论区里就热火朝天都是键盘侠。

Měicì chūxiàn lùrén wéiguān jiànsǐ bùjìu de shèhuì xīnwén, pínglùn qū lǐ jìu rèhuǒ cháotiān dōushì jiànpánxiá。

Every time there’s a piece of news where onlookers refused to extend a helping hand to the needy, a lot of keyboard warriors will leave passionate replies.

B: 是啊,不知道是网友都不出门还是路人都不上网,那么多正义勇敢的人现实生活里都去哪儿了?

Shì a, bù zhīdào shì wǎngyǒu dōu bù chūmén háishì lùrén dōu bù shàngwǎng, nàme duō zhèngyì yǒnggǎn de rén xiànshí shēnghuó lǐ dōu qù nǎr le?

True. I have no idea whether the righteous netizens never leave their homes or indifferent onlookers never go online. There seem to be so many righteous and brave people, but where are they in real life.

(First editor: Debra Li)