Real Meaning of Emojis in China

The country is known for generating creative, peculiar internet memes. People there have also developed a system for using emoji subversively, so that a smiley face can actually convey contempt.What are exactly the emojis of Chinese people Followed is a reference for  all of you, the non-Chinese. 

中国以制作各种创意十足和画风清奇的表情包而著称。中国人还开创了一种颠覆性地使用表情符号的系统，因此笑脸表情可能实际上表示的是鄙视。中国人的表情符号到底是什么意思？下面是提供给歪果仁的一份指南

1.笑脸 xiào liǎn

Smiley face

On the surface: Happiness.

表面意思：开心。

Below the surface: A despising, mocking, and even obnoxious attitude. 

深层意思：鄙视、嘲笑甚至讨厌的态度。

Background: The upper “muscle movements” here could explain why the face is considered less friendly and more hostile.

背景：上部“肌肉运动”可以解释为什么笑脸被认为不友好甚至更有敌意。

 “If you take a closer look at the eyes, the orbicularis oculi (the muscle near that upper eye corner) does not move, and the orbicularis oris (the one near the mouth) tightens, which is a sign of suppressing a smile,” notes An Yong, a user on Zhihu, China’s answer to Quora. The answer has garnered some 16,000 likes since last June.

“如果你仔细看此表情的眼睛，眼轮匝肌(眼角附近的肌肉)没有动，口轮匝肌(嘴附近的肌肉)变紧，这是在挤出微笑的信号。”知乎用户“暗涌”写道。自去年6月以来，该回答获得了1.6万个赞。

Guidance: Don’t use it as an expression to say you’re happy about something. Maybe use these instead, since the muscle movements seem to be smiling genuinely, or use any of these on your iOS device.

用法：不要用笑脸表情表达你高兴的事。或许你可以用以上那些的笑脸表情代替，因为它们看起来是真笑。

2.挥手微笑 huī shǒu wēi xiào

Smiley face with a waving hand

On the surface: Goodbye with a smiley face.

表面意思：微笑着说再见

Below the surface: “I despise you and really don’t want to talk with you. Please go away.”

深层意思: “我鄙视你，真的不想跟你说话。请麻溜走开。” 

Background: Thanks to the smiley face, this is not a simple goodbye, but rather a mocking expression used to respond negatively to whatever one objects to.

背景：因为一个笑脸，这个表情不是简单的再见，而是用来消极回应自己反对的事情。 

Guidance: If you see this emoji, you might want to change the topic, or just keep your mouth shut. If you wish to retaliate sarcastically, consider sending back two waving hands. Or just deploy for a genius goodbye.

用法：如果看到了这个表情，你应该转移话题，或者不再说话。如果你想讽刺地回复，可以考虑回复对方两个挥手表情，或者直接发送一个手掌符号，来表示有诚意的再见。 

3.抠鼻 kōu bí

Picking your nose

On the surface: Maybe there’s something in your nose?

表面意思：可能鼻孔里有东西吧？ 

Below the surface: “I despise you.” (Yes, it’s a recurring theme.)

深层意思: “鄙视你”。 （是的，鄙视是永恒的主题。）

Background: The emoji has a frown and its eyes look to the right side, half-open.

背景：这个表情有皱眉，眼睛看向右边，半睁着。

Usage: Send a smiley face in response—making clear the feeling is mutual.

用法：用笑脸回应——表明这种感觉是相互的。

Source：China Daily