梗

gěng: 梗 - Internet Meme, Inside Joke, Punchline

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: geng meaning, what does geng mean in Chinese, Chinese internet slang geng, Chinese meme, 梗 meaning, inside joke in Chinese, punchline Chinese, douyin memes, zao geng, wan geng, Chinese pop culture
  • Summary: An essential term for navigating modern Chinese internet culture, 梗 (gěng) is the equivalent of an “internet meme,” “inside joke,” or “running gag.” Originally meaning a “punchline” in Taiwanese comedy, it has evolved to describe any piece of shared cultural shorthand—a viral phrase, a video clip, or a specific reference—that is widely understood within a community. Understanding what a 梗 is, and knowing popular ones, is key to getting the humor and context of contemporary Chinese social media and daily conversation.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): gěng
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: N/A
  • Concise Definition: An internet meme, a running gag, an inside joke, or the punchline of a joke.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 梗 (gěng) as a piece of shared, repeatable culture. Its original meaning is a plant stalk or a blockage. In comedy, this evolved to mean the “blockage” in a story that creates a twist—the punchline. Today, it has exploded online to mean any self-referential piece of content (a phrase, an image, a sound) that people repeatedly use. If you don't understand the original context, you won't “get the 梗,” leaving you out of the loop.

Character Breakdown

  • 梗 (gěng): This is a single-character word, but it's made of two parts:
    • 木 (mù): The “wood” or “tree” radical on the left, indicating the character is related to plants.
    • 更 (gèng): The phonetic component on the right, providing the sound. It also means “more” or “to change.”
  • The combination originally described a tough plant stem or branch, which can create a blockage or obstruction. This idea of a “blockage” metaphorically shifted to mean the “punchline” that interrupts a story's flow with a surprise, and from there, it broadened to its modern meaning of a self-referential “meme” or “inside joke” that requires prior knowledge to understand.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • From Stage to Screen: The modern usage of 梗 originated in the Taiwanese entertainment and comedy scene, where it was used as a loanword for the English “gag.” It referred to a planned comedic bit, a gimmick, or a punchline in a performance.
  • The Internet Explosion: With the rise of social media platforms like Weibo, Bilibili, and Douyin (TikTok), 梗 became the perfect term to describe the fast-paced, self-referential, and community-driven nature of online humor. Chinese netizens are incredibly creative, constantly generating new 梗s from viral videos, TV show quotes, news events, or even typos.
  • Comparison to “Meme”: While “meme” is the closest English equivalent, 梗 (gěng) is arguably a broader concept. An English “meme” often conjures an image with text overlay (an “image macro”). A 梗 can be anything:
    • A specific phrase (e.g., “YYDS!”)
    • A short video or audio clip
    • A physical gesture
    • A story or anecdote
  • Social Currency: Knowing the latest 梗s is a form of social currency, especially among younger generations. It signals that you are “in the know” and part of the online community. Being able to “接梗 (jiē gěng)“—to catch and respond to a reference—is a sign of social and cultural fluency.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • On Social Media: 梗s are the lifeblood of comment sections, short videos, and online discussions. Users will quote a 梗 to make a witty point or use an associated “表情包 (biǎoqíngbāo)” (sticker/reaction image).
  • In Daily Conversation: Friends often use 梗s from popular shows or recent events as inside jokes. Saying “你这个梗太老了” (That meme of yours is too old) is a common lighthearted jab.
  • Common Collocations:
    • 玩梗 (wán gěng): To use a meme; to play with a reference.
    • 造梗 (zào gěng): To create a new meme.
    • 接梗 (jiē gěng): To get the reference and respond appropriately.
    • 抛梗 (pāo gěng): To “throw out” a reference, hoping someone will get it.
    • 烂梗 (làn gěng): A stale, overused, or cringey meme.
    • 老梗 (lǎo gěng): An old meme.
  • Connotation: Generally informal and humorous. Its use implies a relaxed and familiar social context. Using a 梗 in a formal or professional setting would be inappropriate.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 抱歉，你说的这个梗我没听懂。
    • Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, nǐ shuō de zhège gěng wǒ méi tīng dǒng.
    • English: Sorry, I didn't understand the reference/meme you just made.
    • Analysis: A very common and polite way to admit you're not “in the loop” on a particular inside joke.
  • Example 2:
    • 别再用那个梗了，已经是去年的老梗了。
    • Pinyin: Bié zài yòng nàge gěng le, yǐjīng shì qùnián de lǎo gěng le.
    • English: Stop using that meme, it's an old meme from last year.
    • Analysis: This shows how quickly 梗s can become outdated in fast-paced internet culture.
  • Example 3:
    • 他说话特别有意思，很会玩梗。
    • Pinyin: Tā shuōhuà tèbié yǒu yìsi, hěn huì wán gěng.
    • English: He's really fun to talk to, he's great at using memes/references.
    • Analysis: “玩梗 (wán gěng)” is the standard verb phrase for “using a meme.” It has a playful connotation.
  • Example 4:
    • 这部电影里藏了好多梗，只有老粉丝才看得懂。
    • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng lǐ cáng le hǎoduō gěng, zhǐyǒu lǎo fěnsī cái kàn de dǒng.
    • English: This movie has a lot of hidden references (Easter eggs), only longtime fans will get them.
    • Analysis: Here, 梗 is used in the sense of an “Easter egg” or a deep-cut reference within a piece of media.
  • Example 5:
    • 那个主播太能造梗了，每句话都能变成新的流行语。
    • Pinyin: Nàge zhǔbō tài néng zào gěng le, měi jù huà dōu néng biàn chéng xīn de liúxíngyǔ.
    • English: That streamer is so good at creating memes, every sentence he says can become a new buzzword.
    • Analysis: “造梗 (zào gěng)” highlights the creative and generative aspect of meme culture.
  • Example 6:
    • A: “你这背景太假了。” B: “哈哈，你这个梗我接住了！”
    • Pinyin: A: “Nǐ zhè bèijǐng tài jiǎ le.” B: “Haha, nǐ zhège gěng wǒ jiē zhù le!”
    • English: A: “Your background is so fake.” B: “Haha, I got your reference!”
    • Analysis: “你这背景太假了” is a famous 梗 from a viral video. “接梗 (jiē gěng)” is the perfect response, showing you understand the reference and are part of the joke.
  • Example 7:
    • 你刚才讲的那个笑话是个烂梗，我们都听过八百遍了。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ gāngcái jiǎng de nàge xiàohuà shì ge làn gěng, wǒmen dōu tīngguò bābǎi biàn le.
    • English: The joke you just told is a stale meme, we've all heard it a hundred times.
    • Analysis: “烂梗 (làn gěng)” is a negative term for an unoriginal or overused joke.
  • Example 8:
    • 因为在采访中的一句话，他本人变成了一个行走的梗。
    • Pinyin: Yīnwèi zài cǎifǎng zhōng de yí jù huà, tā běnrén biàn chéng le yí ge xíngzǒu de gěng.
    • English: Because of one sentence in an interview, he himself became a walking meme.
    • Analysis: This illustrates how people, not just content, can become the source of a 梗.
  • Example 9:
    • 你不常上网吗？连这个梗都不知道？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ bù cháng shàngwǎng ma? Lián zhège gěng dōu bù zhīdào?
    • English: You don't go online much? You don't even know this meme?
    • Analysis: A common, slightly teasing question that highlights the link between knowing 梗s and being active online.
  • Example 10:
    • 我在这里抛个梗，看看你们谁能懂。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ zài zhèlǐ pāo ge gěng, kànkan nǐmen shéi néng dǒng.
    • English: I'm going to “throw out” a reference here, and see which of you can get it.
    • Analysis: “抛梗 (pāo gěng)” is the action of initiating an inside joke, testing to see who is in the same subculture.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 梗 (gěng) vs. 笑话 (xiàohuà - a joke): This is a key distinction. A `笑话` is a self-contained story with a setup and punchline, like a knock-knock joke. A `梗` is a *reference*. A joke can *become* a 梗 if its punchline is repeated endlessly online, but a 梗 itself is not necessarily a full joke. For example, “YYDS” is a 梗, but it's not a 笑话.
  • 梗 (gěng) vs. 段子 (duànzi - a witty anecdote): A `段子` is a short, often humorous, piece of text or story. It's the complete content. A `梗` is often the key, repeatable element *from* a 段子. A 段子 might go viral, and a specific phrase from it becomes the 梗.
  • Context is Everything: Using a 梗 is highly context-dependent. Using a gaming 梗 with people who don't play games will just lead to confusion. It is almost always used in informal situations among peers. Avoid it in academic or professional writing.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 网络用语 (wǎngluò yòngyǔ) - Internet Slang. 梗 is a major category of this.
  • 表情包 (biǎoqíngbāo) - Sticker packs / Reaction images. A very common visual format for a 梗.
  • 吐槽 (tǔcáo) - To roast, make a sarcastic comment, or rant. A common social activity that heavily uses 梗s.
  • 出圈 (chūquān) - “To break out of the circle.” Describes when a niche 梗 becomes known to the mainstream public.
  • YYDS (yǒngyuǎn de shén) - An acronym for “永远的神” (Eternal God). A very popular 梗 used to praise someone or something as the greatest of all time.
  • 内涵 (nèihán) - Implied meaning; subtext. Many 梗s have a lot of 内涵 that isn't obvious at first glance.
  • 接梗 (jiē gěng) - To catch/understand a reference. A key social skill in modern China.
  • 烂梗 (làn gěng) - A stale, overused, or bad meme.
  • 造梗 (zào gěng) - To create a meme.
  • 段子手 (duànzi shǒu) - A person who is skilled at writing witty anecdotes (段子), often a source of new 梗s.