Catch Phrase | 小学鸡(xiǎoxuéjī)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2021-06-07

Meaning:

“小学” means “primary school,” and “鸡” means “chick.” Originally from Cantonese, this term refers to “childish middle school students or even childish adults.” Sometimes used in its pinyin initials as “xxj,” this often appears in the discussion of fans who think someone acts immaturely. After popular candidate Justin Huang used the term on himself on the show “Idol Producer,” the term has taken on a new meaning of “being a cute rookie.”

Example:

A: 丽丽今天为什么很不高兴的样子?中午叫她一起吃饭也不理我。

Lìlì jīntiān wèishénme hěn bù gāoxìng de yàngzi?Zhōngwǔ jiào tā yīqǐ chīfàn yě bù lǐ wǒ。

Why is Li Li sulky today? When I invited her to lunch, she didn’t say anything.

B: 上午经理说她项目报告写得太简单,让她返工。

Shàngwǔ jīnglǐ shuō tā xiàngmù bàogào xiě de tài jiǎndān,ràng tā fǎngōng。

This morning, the manager said her report on the project was too simple and asked her to rewrite it.

A: 这种态度对同事,真是小学鸡。

Zhèzhǒng tàidù duì tóngshì,zhēn shì xiǎoxuéjī。

She’s so childish to have vented her anger on a colleague.