REAL INTERNET CHINESE
a romance brain
someone whose whole life bends around their partner, everything else be damned
- 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
Friends fade, hobbies evaporate, career plans relocate to their city, and every conversation loops back to them. Said with worry by friends, with shame in recovery posts: I was such a romance-brain back then. The mirror term, career-brain, somehow never gets used as an insult.
Hear it in the wild
Tā yí liàn'ài jiù xiāoshī, liàn'ài nǎo le.
The moment she falls in love she vanishes, total romance brain.
Bié zuò liàn'ài nǎo, xiān guò hǎo zìjǐ de rìzi.
Don't be a romance brain, live your own life first.
Quick answers
What does 恋爱脑 mean?
someone whose whole life bends around their partner, everything else be damned
When do people say 恋爱脑?
Friends fade, hobbies evaporate, career plans relocate to their city, and every conversation loops back to them. Said with worry by friends, with shame in recovery posts: I was such a romance-brain back then. The mirror term, career-brain, somehow never gets used as an insult.
When should you not say 恋爱脑?
Diagnosing a friend to their face rarely lands as care; ask questions instead of applying the label.
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