Catch Phrase | 萌新(méngxīn)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2021-06-15

Meaning:

“萌,” which literally means “bud” in Chinese, means “cute” in Japanese Kanji. “新” means “new.” Coined by Chinese netizens, this term refers to those who are new to a certain field, and because of their lack of experience, sometimes ask “cute silly” questions. It can be translated as “newbie.”

Example:

A: 丽丽从来没玩过这个游戏吗?她什么问题都来问我。

Lìlì cónglái méi wán guò zhège yóuxì ma?Tā shénme wèntí dōu lái wèn wǒ。

Hasn’t Li Li played this game before? She asked me all kinds of questions.

B: 她是个萌新,你耐心点儿。

Tā shìge méngxīn,nǐ nàixīn diǎnr。

She’s a newbie. Try to be patient with her.

A: 萌新也可以自己上网找攻略学习啊。

Méngxīn yě kěyǐ zìjǐ shàngwǎng zhǎo gōngluè xuéxí a。

Newbies can also learn online via strategy guides.