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摆烂

/bǎi làn/

释义 DEFINITION

“摆烂”这个词在中文网络语境中,可谓是近年来风头无两的“佛系代言人”。简单来说,摆烂指的是在面对压力、任务或期望时,选择主动放弃努力,采取一种“随它去吧”的消极态度,彻底躺平,不再挣扎。它的核心精神是:既然怎么折腾都可能没啥好结果,不如直接“烂”到底,省点力气。

这个词有几层含义,具体得看语境:

  • 生活态度:比如工作上遇到996的压榨,或者学习上被卷得喘不过气,有人会选择“摆烂”,不再拼命加班或刷题,而是“爱咋咋地”,刷刷剧、打打游戏,过一天算一天。
  • 社交场景:在朋友圈或群聊里,有人可能会用“摆烂”来形容自己对某些事情的无奈,比如“感情摆烂了,单身万年也挺好”。
  • 自嘲调侃:更多时候,摆烂是一种戏谑的表达,带着点自黑的幽默,比如“我这学期的成绩已经摆烂了,及格万岁!”

在当前互联网语境中,摆烂最常见于年轻人吐槽生活压力或内卷时,是一种既无奈又有点“破罐破摔”式豁达的表达。知乎上常有人调侃:“摆烂是当代社畜的自我救赎,卷不动了就摆,摆得漂亮也是一种艺术!”

词源故事 ETYMOLOGY

“摆烂”这个词的诞生和流行,简直就是一部中国互联网青年从“内卷”到“佛系”的心路历程缩影。它的起源可以追溯到2010年代中后期,当时中国的网络文化正经历着一场从“鸡血奋斗”到“累了,毁灭吧”的巨大转变。最早,“摆烂”这个词据说来自篮球圈,尤其是NBA的粉丝群体。英文里有个术语叫“tanking”,指球队故意输球以换取更好的选秀顺位。中国球迷翻译时,脑洞大开,把这种“主动求烂”的策略叫“摆烂”。这词儿听着就带劲儿,既形象又有点儿痞气,很快就在体育论坛火了。

到了2018年前后,“摆烂”开始跳出体育圈,渗透到更广泛的网络语境中。这和当时的社会氛围有很大关系:经济增速放缓,职场996文化盛行,年轻人被“内卷”压得喘不过气。知乎、微博上,网友们开始用“摆烂”来表达对生活无尽竞争的疲惫。比如,有人吐槽:“卷也卷不过,躺又躺不平,索性摆烂吧!”这词儿就像一剂解药,带着点自嘲和豁达,让人觉得“摆烂”不是认输,而是一种另类的反抗。

2020年疫情期间,“摆烂”彻底爆红。居家隔离、远程办公、网课压力,让无数人感受到生活的荒诞。B站上,UP主们开始用“摆烂”来形容自己的日常,比如“摆烂式学习法:课本摊开,手机刷屏,成绩随缘”。贴吧里甚至出现了“摆烂学”讨论组,网友们一本正经地分享“如何摆得优雅”。这时候,“摆烂”已经不只是个消极的词,它变成了一种亚文化符号,代表着年轻人对高压社会的一种戏谑式反叛。

为啥“摆烂”能这么火?一方面,它精准捕捉了当代青年在高压环境下的无力感;另一方面,它又带着点黑色幽默,让人能在自嘲中找到共鸣。就像网友说的:“摆烂不是放弃人生,而是放弃跟傻X规则硬刚。”如今,“摆烂”已经是网络流行语的常驻嘉宾,活跃在各种社交平台,成了年轻人表达情绪的万能词。

例句

  • 工作太卷了,我决定这周摆烂,爱扣钱扣钱吧!
  • 考试前一晚还在摆烂刷剧,果然成绩烂得很有个性。

synonym: embrace the dumpster fire

DEFINITION

In the wild world of Chinese internet slang, “摆烂” (bǎi làn) is the ultimate vibe for saying, “Screw it, I’m done trying.” It’s about deliberately giving up, throwing your hands in the air, and letting things go to absolute chaos—think of it as the Chinese cousin of “letting it all go to hell” but with a cheeky, self-aware twist. When life’s pressures pile up, “摆烂” is the art of choosing to flop instead of fight.

Here’s how it plays out in different contexts:

  • Life philosophy: Picture a soul-crushing 996 work schedule or an academic grind where everyone’s out-nerding each other. Instead of grinding harder, you “摆烂” by kicking back with Netflix or gaming, muttering, “Whatever, I’m out.”
  • Social vibes: You might see it in a group chat where someone declares, “I’m摆烂 on dating—single life’s fine by me!” It’s a shrug-off of societal expectations.
  • Self-deprecating humor: Often, it’s a tongue-in-cheek way to cope, like joking, “My grades are in full 摆烂 mode—passing is the dream now!”

For Westerners, think of it as a mix of “giving zero f*cks” and “quiet quitting,” but with a uniquely Chinese spin tied to the exhaustion of hyper-competitive “involution” (内卷). On Reddit, you’d probably see it as the Gen Z anthem for when you’re just over it.

ETYMOLOGY

The rise of “摆烂” (bǎi làn) in Chinese internet culture is like a rollercoaster ride through the collective psyche of China’s youth, zooming from “hustle hard” to “nah, I’m good.” The term first popped up in the mid-2010s, born in the sweaty, meme-filled corners of Chinese basketball fandom. NBA fans were tossing around the English term “tanking”—when a team deliberately bombs games to snag a better draft pick. Chinese netizens, with their knack for spicy translations, dubbed this “摆烂,” literally “displaying rottenness.” It was catchy, cheeky, and just the right amount of rebellious, so it blew up on sports forums like Hupu.

By around 2018, “摆烂” started sneaking out of the sports world and into everyday internet slang. This wasn’t random—it mirrored China’s social mood at the time. Economic growth was slowing, the 996 work culture (9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week) was soul-crushing, and the concept of “involution” (内卷, hyper-competition with diminishing returns) was driving everyone nuts. On platforms like Weibo and Zhihu, users began wielding “摆烂” to vent about the grind. It became a rallying cry for those fed up with the rat race, like, “Can’t win at this game? Fine, I’ll just flop spectacularly.”

The real glow-up for “摆烂” came during the 2020 pandemic. Lockdowns, remote work, and online classes turned life into a surreal slog. On Bilibili, China’s YouTube equivalent, content creators started joking about their “摆烂 lifestyle”—think open textbooks next to a phone blasting TikTok, with grades left to fate. Over on Baidu Tieba, China’s Reddit-like forum, users formed “摆烂 studies” groups, swapping tips on how to “fail with flair.” At this point, “摆烂” wasn’t just a word; it was a cultural badge of honor, a sarcastic middle finger to society’s obsession with hustle.

Why did “摆烂” hit so hard? It nailed the exhaustion and absurdity of trying to thrive in a hyper-competitive world, especially for China’s Gen Z and millennials. Plus, it’s got that dark humor that makes venting feel like a party. As one Weibo user put it, “摆烂 isn’t quitting life—it’s quitting the dumb rules.” Today, it’s a staple of Chinese internet slang, popping up everywhere from Douyin (China’s TikTok) to group chats, a versatile way to say, “I’m over it, and I’m owning it.” For Westerners, it’s like the lovechild of “YOLO” and “burnout culture,” but with a distinctly Chinese flavor tied to the pressures of modern life.

Example Sentences

  • Work’s too intense, so I’m 摆烂 this week—deduct my pay, whatever!
  • Binged dramas all night before the exam, and my grades are beautifully 摆烂.

SAME PRONUNCIATION