REAL INTERNET CHINESE
to put the rot on display
to stop trying and let everything fall apart on purpose
- Who can you say it to?
- Friends and coworkers Normal among people your own age. Skip it with elders, clients and officials.
- 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
Stronger than tǎngpíng. Lying flat is peaceful quitting, bǎilàn is giving up with attitude and letting the mess get worse because you stopped caring. Say it about a doomed project, a hopeless game, or your own Monday mood. Dramatic, casual, funny.
Hear it in the wild
Zhè fāng'àn gǎi bú xiàqù le, wǒ bǎilàn le.
This plan can't be saved, I'm letting it rot.
Fǎnzhèng yě yíng bùliǎo, zhíjiē bǎilàn.
We can't win anyway, so I'm just giving up.
Quick answers
What does 摆烂 mean?
to stop trying and let everything fall apart on purpose
When do people say 摆烂?
Stronger than tǎngpíng. Lying flat is peaceful quitting, bǎilàn is giving up with attitude and letting the mess get worse because you stopped caring. Say it about a doomed project, a hopeless game, or your own Monday mood. Dramatic, casual, funny.
When should you not say 摆烂?
Harsher than tǎngpíng, keep it among friends. Saying it about a teammate's work is a straight insult.
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