Catch Phrase | 塌房(tāfáng)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2021-07-28

Meaning:

“塌” means “to collapse,” and “房” means “house.” Literally meaning “my house has collapsed,” this term was first used in 2019 on the literary and art fan site douban.com and later became widely used on the Internet and social media. It refers to the scenario where one’s idol or favorite brand gets involved in a scandal that immensely harms their reputation. It is also used when one’s idol is found in a romantic relationship, since fans prefer their idols to remain single. The image of a “collapsed house” is metaphoric of the huge psychological blow suffered by the fans.

Example:

A: 这两年很多明星塌房。

Zhè liǎngnián hěnduō míngxīng tāfáng。

Many celebrities have been involved in scandals this year and last year.

B: 也不奇怪啊,明星只是长得美或者会唱歌演戏,并不一定人品好。

Yě bù qíguài a,míngxīng zhǐshì zhǎng de měi huòzhě huì chànggē yǎnxì,bìng bùyīdìng rénpǐn hǎo。

There’s nothing strange about it. These people may be pretty, or good at singing or acting, but that doesn’t mean they have morals.