Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== zhòngcǎo: 种草 - To Get Hooked on a Product; To Have a Desire "Planted" ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** zhongcao, zhong cao, zhòngcǎo, 种草, 种草 meaning, what does zhongcao mean, Chinese internet slang, Chinese social media, influencer marketing China, Xiaohongshu, want to buy, product recommendation, KOL, KOC. * **Summary:** **种草 (zhòngcǎo)** is a hugely popular Chinese internet slang term that literally means "to plant grass." It vividly describes the experience of suddenly wanting to buy a product after seeing it promoted by a friend, influencer, or online review. This term is central to modern Chinese e-commerce and social media culture, capturing the moment a seed of desire is planted in a consumer's mind, compelling them to make a purchase. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhòngcǎo * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Internet Slang * **HSK Level:** N/A * **Concise Definition:** To have a desire to buy something "planted" in one's mind by someone else's recommendation or post. * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine your mind is an empty field. When you see an influencer's amazing review of a new video game or a friend's photo of a delicious meal, they are "planting grass" (种草) in your mind. That "grass" is the growing desire for that item. It’s not just a simple recommendation; it’s about creating a genuine craving or itch that you feel the need to scratch by buying the product. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **种 (zhòng):** This character means "to plant" or "to sow." Think of a farmer planting seeds in a field. * **草 (cǎo):** This character means "grass." It can also refer to other small plants or weeds. * Together, **种草 (zhòngcǎo)** creates a powerful metaphor. The act of recommending a product is like "planting" a "grass" seed (the desire) in the consumer's heart or mind. The desire then "grows" until the person takes action. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The rise of **种草 (zhòngcǎo)** is directly tied to the explosion of e-commerce and social media in China. Platforms like **小红书 (Xiǎohóngshū) - "Little Red Book"**, Weibo, and Douyin (TikTok) are built around this concept. Influencers, known as **KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders)**, and even regular users, build their online presence by creating content specifically designed to `种草` their followers. Compared to a Western concept like "getting influenced" or "product placement," `种草` is more active, personal, and grassroots. While a Hollywood movie might feature a specific car (product placement), `种草` describes the very specific feeling a user gets from a seemingly authentic post by a peer or trusted reviewer. It feels less like corporate advertising and more like a genuine, passionate recommendation from a friend, which is why it's so effective. This reflects a cultural value on peer-to-peer trust and community recommendations over traditional advertising. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `种草` is extremely common but highly informal. It's used constantly in online chats, social media comments, and casual conversations among friends, especially younger generations. * **Getting Influenced (Passive Voice):** The most common usage. You'll often see "我被**种草**了" (Wǒ bèi zhòngcǎo le), meaning "I've been 'planted'!" or "Now I want one!" * **Influencing Others (Active Voice):** An influencer or friend might say, "我来给你们**种草**这个新手机" (Wǒ lái gěi nǐmen zhòngcǎo zhège xīn shǒujī), meaning "I'm here to get you all hooked on this new phone." * **As a Noun/Adjective:** It can describe content or lists. A "种草视频" (zhòngcǎo shìpín) is a video designed to make you want things, and a "种草清单" (zhòngcǎo qīngdān) is a wish list of things you've been `种草`-ed on. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 看了你的照片，我被这家餐厅**种草**了！ * Pinyin: Kànle nǐ de zhàopiàn, wǒ bèi zhè jiā cāntīng **zhòngcǎo** le! * English: After seeing your photos, I'm totally hooked on this restaurant! / You've made me want to go to this restaurant! * Analysis: A classic passive structure (`被...种草了`) used to express that the speaker was influenced by the listener's post. * **Example 2:** * 别再给我**种草**了，我的钱包已经空了。 * Pinyin: Bié zài gěi wǒ **zhòngcǎo** le, wǒ de qiánbāo yǐjīng kōng le. * English: Stop recommending things to me, my wallet is already empty. * Analysis: A playful, common complaint among friends. `给我种草` (gěi wǒ zhòngcǎo) literally means "plant grass for me," i.e., "recommend things to me." * **Example 3:** * 这个美妆博主**种草**的口红颜色都很好看。 * Pinyin: Zhège měizhuāng bózhǔ **zhòngcǎo** de kǒuhóng yánsè dōu hěn hǎokàn. * English: The lipsticks that this beauty blogger recommends are all really nice colors. * Analysis: Here, `种草的` acts as an adjective phrase modifying "lipsticks," meaning "the lipsticks that she 'plants grass' for." * **Example 4:** * 我最近对一款新游戏疯狂**长草**，周末就去买。 * Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn duì yī kuǎn xīn yóuxì fēngkuáng **zhǎngcǎo**, zhōumò jiù qù mǎi. * English: Recently, my desire for a new game has been growing like crazy; I'm going to buy it this weekend. * Analysis: This uses the related term `长草 (zhǎngcǎo)`, meaning "the grass is growing." It describes the period of wanting something after the initial `种草` moment. * **Example 5:** * 这个耳机我被**种草**很久了，今天终于**拔草**了！ * Pinyin: Zhège ěrjī wǒ bèi **zhòngcǎo** hěnjiǔ le, jīntiān zhōngyú **bácǎo** le! * English: I've been wanting these headphones for a long time, and today I finally bought them! * Analysis: This shows the full cycle. First, you get `种草` (the desire is planted). Then you finally `拔草 (bácǎo)`, or "pull the grass," by making the purchase and satisfying the desire. * **Example 6:** * 你有什么好用的洗发水给我**种草**吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shénme hǎoyòng de xǐfàshuǐ gěi wǒ **zhòngcǎo** ma? * English: Do you have any good shampoos to recommend to me? * Analysis: A common way to ask for a strong, personal recommendation from a friend. * **Example 7:** * 小红书上全都是**种草**笔记，很容易冲动消费。 * Pinyin: Xiǎohóngshū shàng quándōu shì **zhòngcǎo** bǐjì, hěn róngyì chōngdòng xiāofèi. * English: Little Red Book is full of recommendation posts, it's easy to make impulse purchases. * Analysis: `种草笔记` (zhòngcǎo bǐjì) refers to the articles, posts, or videos created to `种草` others. * **Example 8:** * 他给我**种草**了这本书，说内容特别有意思。 * Pinyin: Tā gěi wǒ **zhòngcǎo** le zhè běn shū, shuō nèiróng tèbié yǒuyìsi. * English: He got me interested in this book, saying the content is especially interesting. * Analysis: Shows that `种草` isn't limited to physical products. It can be used for books, movies, travel destinations, etc. * **Example 9:** * 我本来不想买的，但是被我朋友一**种草**就心动了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ běnlái bùxiǎng mǎi de, dànshì bèi wǒ péngyǒu yī **zhòngcǎo** jiù xīndòng le. * English: I originally didn't want to buy it, but as soon as my friend recommended it, my heart was moved (I wanted it). * Analysis: `一...就...` (yī...jiù...) is a common pattern meaning "as soon as... then...". This emphasizes the immediate effect of being `种草`-ed. * **Example 10:** * 这篇旅游攻略的**种草**能力太强了，我现在就想订机票。 * Pinyin: Zhè piān lǚyóu gōnglüè de **zhòngcǎo** nénglì tài qiáng le, wǒ xiànzài jiù xiǎng dìng jīpiào. * English: This travel guide's ability to make you want to go is too strong; I want to book a flight right now. * Analysis: Shows `种草` being used to describe a quality or ability (`种草能力` - 'grass-planting ability'). ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Literal vs. Slang:** The most common mistake is to interpret `种草` literally. If someone says "我被种草了," they are **not** talking about gardening. Context is key; if the conversation is about products, travel, or experiences, it's the slang meaning. * **Formality:** This is a highly informal slang term. **Do not** use it in formal business writing, academic papers, or serious presentations unless you are specifically analyzing social media trends. Use more neutral words like `推荐 (tuījiàn)` - to recommend, or `建议 (jiànyì)` - to suggest, in formal contexts. * **False Friends: "Recommend" vs. "种草"**: While related, they are not the same. `推荐 (tuījiàn)` is a neutral recommendation. You can recommend a product based on its specs and features. `种草` is about creating an **emotional desire**. It implies the recommendation was so good, so appealing, that it sparked a genuine craving. A recommendation is logical; `种草` is emotional. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[拔草]] (bácǎo) - "To pull the grass." The antonym. It has two meanings: 1) To finally buy the item you've been wanting, thus "pulling up" the grass of desire. 2) To lose interest in a product you previously wanted, also "pulling up" the grass. * [[长草]] (zhǎngcǎo) - "The grass is growing." Describes the state of desire increasing over time while you are waiting or saving up to buy the item. * [[安利]] (ānlì) - A very close synonym. It comes from the brand "Amway" (安利), known for its direct-selling model. It means to passionately, almost evangelically, recommend something to others. Often used interchangeably with `种草`. * [[带货]] (dài huò) - "To carry/move goods." Refers specifically to an influencer's ability to generate sales for a product they promote. `种草` is the action of creating desire; `带货` is the successful commercial result. * [[小红书]] (Xiǎohóngshū) - "Little Red Book." A major Chinese social media and e-commerce platform that is the epicenter of `种草` culture. * [[清单]] (qīngdān) - A list. Often appears as `种草清单` (a wish list) or `拔草清单` (a list of things you've bought or decided against). * [[KOL]] (Key Opinion Leader) - An influencer. The person who often does the `种草`. A KOL with strong `带货` ability is highly valued.