What Does YYDS Mean? Decoding the Viral Chinese Internet Slang

Let’s be real, if you’ve ever scrolled through a Chinese celebrity’s TikTok comments, flipped through Weibo posts, or even chatted with a young Chinese friend, you’ve probably stumbled on “YYDS” and thought, “Is that a typo? A secret code? Or just something I’m missing?” Spoiler: it’s none of the above. YYDS is one of the most popular pieces of Chinese internet slang today, blowing up from niche esports circles to everyday conversations. Whether you’re learning Chinese, curious about internet culture, or want to connect with Chinese speakers, understanding YYDS is a must. Let’s break down with WuKong Education what it means, where it came from, and how to use it like a pro.

What Is YYDS? Definition, Pinyin, and Translation

First things first: let’s demystify the acronym. “YYDS” stands for the Mandarin phrase “Yǒng Yuǎn De Shén” . Literally translated, that means “eternal god” or “god forever.” But in practice, the closest English equivalent is “the GOAT” (short for “Greatest of All Time”).

Why the GOAT? Because just like how English speakers call LeBron James or Beyoncé “the GOAT” to hype their greatness, Chinese users drop “YYDS” to gush about someone or something that’s unbeatable. It’s not just a casual compliment. It’s a superlative, reserved for things that make you think, “This is as good as it gets.” If you taste amazing dumplings at a NYC Chinese restaurant, you might say, “These dumplings are YYDS!” Which translates to, “These dumplings are the GOAT!” See? Easy to pick up, and way more fun than saying “really good.”

The Origin and Rise of YYDS: From Esports to Mainstream

Every viral slang has a backstory, and YYDS’s starts in the world of competitive gaming. Around 2020, fans of Uzi, a legendary Chinese professional League of Legends (LOL) player, coined the phrase “Yong Yuan De Shen” to praise his unmatched skills. To type faster in chat rooms and fan forums, they shortened it to “YYDS.”

The acronym took off for two big reasons: it’s snappy that only four letters and universal. Soon, it jumped out of esports. K-pop fans used it to hype their idols, foodies to rave about street food, and sports fans to celebrate athletes like Yao Ming. Social media pushed it over the edge. Hashtags like #YYDS on Weibo and Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart) racked up billions of views, turning it into a cultural phenomenon.

Today, you’ll hear YYDS everywhere. Not just online. Teenagers might say it about a new movie, college students about a favorite professor, or even parents about a handy kitchen gadget. It’s gone from “esports jargon” to a staple of modern Chinese slang.

How to Use YYDS: Common Scenarios and Example Sentences

YYDS is flexible. You can use it for anything you love. Here are the most common scenarios, with examples tailored to American life to make it even easier.

1. Praising Celebrities or Musicians

Use it when you’re obsessed with a star’s work.

• “Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was YYDS—I cried during ‘All Too Well’!”
• “Dwayne Johnson’s new movie is so funny, he’s YYDS at action-comedy!”

2. Celebrating Sports Moments

Perfect for game-winning plays or legendary athletes.

• “LeBron’s last-minute three-pointer? Total YYDS!”
• “Serena Williams’ career is YYDS—no one does it like her!”

3. Raving About Food or Drinks

Foodies, this one’s for you.

• “That coffee shop in Brooklyn makes lattes that are YYDS!”
• “My mom’s apple pie is YYDS—better than any bakery’s!”

4. Everyday Compliments

For friends, coworkers, or even random acts of awesomeness.

• “You fixed my laptop in 10 minutes? You’re YYDS!”
• “This playlist you made is YYDS—I’ve had it on repeat all week!”

Pro tip: YYDS is almost always used positively. You won’t hear it to criticize something. Keep it light, enthusiastic, and genuine!

Tips for Learning YYDS Meaning

Learning slang doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s how to make it fun and effective.

1. Learn in Context, Not Isolation
   Don’t just memorize “YYDS = GOAT”. Look for examples on TikTok follow Chinese creators or WeChat. Seeing how real people use it will help you remember faster.
2. Practice with Flashcards
   Write the acronym on one side, pinyin/meaning on the other. Quiz yourself while waiting for coffee—10 minutes a day goes a long way.
3. Join a Learning Community
   Platforms like WuKong Chinese have forums where you can chat with other learners and native speakers. Ask, “Did I use YYDS correctly here?”—people love helping!
4. Don’t Fear Mistakes
   Slang is casual, so even if you mix up YYDS with AWSL, most people will laugh and correct you. It’s all part of learning!

Ready to Master YYDS Meaning and More Chinese Slang?

YYDS isn’t just a acronym. It’s a window into how Chinese people connect, celebrate, and have fun online. By learning it, you’re not just picking up slang, and you’re building a bridge to Chinese culture and conversations.

Want to go further? Join WuKong Chinese online classes, where our experienced tutors break down YYDS, AWSL, and dozens more terms with real-world examples, practice drills, and live chats. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to level up, we’ll help you speak like a pro. So go ahead—try using YYDS today. Your friends and your Chinese-learning journey will thank you!

FAQs

Jasmine | WuKong Chinese Teacher

With over a decade of dedication to the education sector, I specialize in educational innovation and practice, deeply researching the construction of the basic education ecosystem and the cultivation of students’ core competencies. Holding a Doctorate in Education from Beijing Normal University, I integrate theoretical research with frontline teaching, excelling in stimulating students’ internal learning motivation through interdisciplinary teaching methods. Guided by the mission of “enabling every child to embrace suitable education”, I promote educational equity and personalized development, helping students unlock infinite possibilities in their growth. I am committed to injecting vitality into the high – quality development of education with professional expertise.