REAL INTERNET CHINESE
what ghost
what the heck, mild bewilderment at something weird or annoying
- 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
Say it when an update moves every button, or a friend sends a bizarre photo at midnight. Puzzled, amused, a light complaint. Safe for most ears.
Hear it in the wild
Zhè jièmiàn gǎi de shénme guǐ?
What the heck did they do to this interface?
Dà bànyè shīgōng, shénme guǐ?
Construction at midnight, what the heck?
Quick answers
What does 什么鬼 mean?
what the heck, mild bewilderment at something weird or annoying
When do people say 什么鬼?
Say it when an update moves every button, or a friend sends a bizarre photo at midnight. Puzzled, amused, a light complaint. Safe for most ears.
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