REAL INTERNET CHINESE
nine nine six
working 9am to 9pm, six days a week, the brutal schedule tied to Chinese tech companies
- Who can you say it to?
- Safe with anyone Fine at work, fine with your partner's parents.
- Out loud, or only typed?
- Say it or type it Works out loud and in chat.
- Is it still used?
- Settled in Past the fad stage, part of everyday speech.
When to say it
Use it when talking about killer work schedules, job hunting, or why a friend never replies before 10pm. It carries anger and exhaustion, not pride. Even news reports and protests use it.
Hear it in the wild
Tāmen gōngsī shíxíng jiǔ jiǔ liù.
Their company runs on a 996 schedule.
Wǒ bù xiǎng zàiguò jiǔ jiǔ liù de rìzi le.
I don't want to live the 996 life anymore.
Quick answers
What does 996 mean?
working 9am to 9pm, six days a week, the brutal schedule tied to Chinese tech companies
When do people say 996?
Use it when talking about killer work schedules, job hunting, or why a friend never replies before 10pm. It carries anger and exhaustion, not pride. Even news reports and protests use it.
When should you not say 996?
Some bosses say it like a badge of honor. If you say it approvingly to people suffering under it, you will sound like management.
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