REAL INTERNET CHINESE
a softened respelling of a strong f-word curse
an all purpose shout of shock or amazement, roughly holy crap
- Who can you say it to?
- Close friends only Carries a swear or an insult. Only with people who would swear back.
- 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 a plot twist hits, a huge fish jumps out of the water, or the bill arrives. Reflexive, loud, everywhere in games and group chats. Still a curse, just a gentler spelling.
Hear it in the wild
Wòcáo, zhè yú yě tài dà le ba!
Holy crap, that fish is huge!
Wòcáo, nǐ kàn nà ge shìpín le ma?
Whoa, did you see that video?
Quick answers
What does 卧槽 mean?
an all purpose shout of shock or amazement, roughly holy crap
When do people say 卧槽?
Say it when a plot twist hits, a huge fish jumps out of the water, or the bill arrives. Reflexive, loud, everywhere in games and group chats. Still a curse, just a gentler spelling.
When should you not say 卧槽?
It is a toned down spelling of a real curse. Fine yelling at a game with buddies, jarring in front of your friend's parents or in any workplace.
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