Catch Phrase | 云人类(yúnrénlèi)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2021-05-27

Meaning:

Literally this term means “cloud human beings.” Coined by Chinese netizens and frequently seen in comments of Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok) videos, this term jokingly describes those who seldom leave their room, but instead spend hours after hours in front of their computer. Most often, these people are diehard gamers and have totally given up social occasions. They only come into contact with couriers who bring their foods and other purchases made online.

Example:

A: 你儿子放假了吧?去哪里玩儿了还是找了家公司实习?

Nǐ érzi fàngjià le ba?Qù nǎlǐ wán r le háishì zhǎo le jiā gōngsī shíxí?

Has your son started his summer vacation? Is he traveling or working as an intern at some company?

B: 说起这孩子我就生气,天天宅家打游戏,十足一个云人类。

Shuōqǐ zhè háizi wǒ jiù shēngqì,tiāntiān zhái jiā dǎyóuxì,shízú yīgè yúnrénlèi。

Don’t bring him up. I’m so angry that he stays at home playing games every day. He is one of those “cloud human beings” who literally live online.