Catch Phrase | 电闸人(diànzhárén)

Writer: Debra Li  | Editor: Stephanie Yang  | From:  | Updated: 2019-06-03

Meaning:

“电闸” means “electricity switch,” and “人” means “a person.” Coined by Chinese netizens, this term is often used by students who have to share a room with others on campus. It refers to those who function like a power switch and control the schedule of their roommates. In other words, such a person is a selfish control freak, who requires their roommates to stick to their schedule, including when to switch off the lights to go to bed and when to rise in the morning.

Example:

A: 你的大学生活愉快吗?

Nǐ de dàxué shēnghuó yúkuài ma?

Are you happy with your college life?

B: 还不错,唯一不好的是宿舍里有个女生是电闸人,完全不体谅其他人。

Hái búcuò,wéiyī bùhǎo de shì sùshè lǐ yǒugè nǚshēng shì diànzhárén,wánquán bù tǐliàng qítārén。

Not bad. The only thing that’s bothering me is one of my roommates is a selfish control freak and is never considerate towards other people.