Traditionally, expressing praise in Chinese culture was often more indirect and reserved than in the West. Overt compliments could sometimes be met with humble deflections (`哪里, 哪里 - nǎli, nǎli` - “Not at all, not at all”) to avoid appearing arrogant. Praise was often a serious act of commendation from a superior or an elder. The internet and social media have dramatically changed this. The modern usage of 赞 as a “Like” reflects a major cultural shift, especially among younger generations. The action of `点赞 (diǎn zàn)`—clicking “like”—has made expressing approval a low-stakes, high-frequency, and casual part of daily social interaction. It's a quick and easy way to show support, acknowledge a post, or maintain social connection (`关系 - guānxi`) without needing a full conversation. This mirrors the evolution of the English word “like” from a feeling of affection to a simple social media engagement tool, but the journey for 赞 started from a more formal place of “praise.”