Multiple organizations in China have recently unveiled their lists of 2023's most popular catchphrases, new lexicons, and online buzzwords, painting a vivid picture of a dynamic and transforming country.

From emerging technological terms such as "generative AI," to grassroots sports phenomena like "village basketball association," these phrases have succinctly captured various facets of the year, marking changes in Chinese people's perceptions and everyday lives.

"These simple yet catchy buzzwords are the keenest sensors of social development," said Wang Xiaoyan, an associate professor at Beijing Normal University, adding that over the past decade, the top online buzzwords have also evolved, increasingly reflecting people's self-confidence as well as their confidence in the Chinese nation and Chinese culture.

On a list announced by the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center recently, the 2023 online buzzwords span across the fields of everyday life, technology, sports, fashion, tourism, and workplaces. This compilation, drawn from a vast corpus of over 8 billion characters, includes varied linguistic resources from video comments to online news.

TECH TALK

In a year marked by technological leaps, some tech jargon has made its way to a wider audience. Compared to the buzzwords in previous years, this year's list features a richer technology vocabulary, experts noted.

Among the top 10 online buzzwords, "digital and intelligent life," is high on the list, reflecting a wider adoption of digital and smart technologies in Chinese people's daily lives.

The top 10 new phrases in 2023, as published by the organization, include "generative AI," and "battle of large models," both related to mushrooming AI applications based on large language models such as ChatGPT, or China tech giant Baidu's ERNIE Bot.

"Mozi xuntian," or "Mozi's sky survey," is also on the list. The phrase refers to the Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST) nicknamed after the ancient Chinese philosopher Mozi, also known as Micius, who is said to be the first in history to have conducted optical experiments. The WFST started operation in September 2023.

"Compared to the top 10 new phrases of 2022, this year's high-tech vocabulary is richer in content and greater in number. This indicates that 2023 is a year of increased innovation and vigorous development for China," said Ouyang Rihui, deputy director of the China Internet Economy Research Institute at the Central University of Finance and Economics.

PERSONAL PANACHE

One of this year's buzzwords, "Xianyanbao," which refers to people who are simply goofing around and trying to get others' attention, represents a popular shift towards celebrating individuality. Once slightly negative, this trendy term now positively identifies those who stand out for their uniqueness, reflecting a societal embrace of diversity and personal expression.

Such emphasis on individual expression is also reflected in a popular phrase for describing boldness in fashion choices -- "dopamine dressing." While dopamine is known as a chemical essential for health and joy, the phrase "dopamine dressing" suggests moving away from understated attire. This style emphasizes using vivid, intensely colored outfits and striking color mixes to produce an enjoyable visual impact.

GAMES, TOURS, ASPIRATIONS

Also on the list of online buzzwords is "Village BA," or "Village Basketball Association," a rural basketball tournament that first debuted in a county in southwest China's Guizhou Province and later evolved to become a nationwide sensation in the summer of 2023.

"More people enjoy recreational sports, while 'exercises' and 'health' are frequent topics discussed in the public domain," said Yang Xiaochun, a physical education teacher at a middle school in Guizhou, adding that thanks to the increasing popularity of the rural amateur basketball competition, surrounding villages have seen waves of visitors.

Amid the robust recovery of China's domestic tourism industry this year, college students have played a significant role in contributing to the resurgence. They jokingly describe their approach to travel as "commando-style tourism." This description reflects the prevailing tendency among university students and young people to visit numerous attractions and enjoy a variety of foods, all while keeping both time and costs to a minimum.

The Chinese character for "zhen," meaning "self-inspire," has been chosen as Character of the Year 2023 in China, according to a recent event jointly held by the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center, the Commercial Press, and Xinhuanet.

"Zhen" applies when a person manages to stay true to his or her ideals in the face of challenges, continues to march despite wind and rain, and feels the joy resulting from every inch of progress, experts said.

"The annual buzzwords, with their continuity and positivity, to some extent reflect the stability of social development and the level of civilization," said Wang, adding that the future holds the promise of more "key phrases" that will embody the Chinese people's aspirations for a better life.

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