📖Written by: MSY

🗓️Published on: December 26, 2025

Part 3: Chinese Number Slang: Memes, Work Culture, and History

If you’ve mastered the Starter Pack from Part 1— Chinese Number Slang 101: Decoding the 'Starter Pack' Codes —and explored the romance & drama of Part 2— Chinese Number Slang: The Romance & Drama Edition —you’re ready to see how these codes show up in real life, from viral memes to office burnout—and even national trauma. Every Chinese reader instantly gets them, even when nothing is said out loud.

We’ve already navigated the Starter Pack and unraveled the drama of romance-laden codes. But to truly read—or translate—like a pro, you need to understand the numbers that shape everyday conversation, online humor, and the weight of history in Chinese culture.

🕵️‍♂️🔢 The Insider Codes

In this final part, we dive into the Insider Codes—numbers that pop up in group chats, workplace manhua, and patriotic stories. For translators, getting them right is the ultimate reward: it shows you’re not just reading the words—you’re reading the culture.

1. 233 (èr sān sān) → The Legendary Laugh 😂

If there’s one number you’ll see in almost every manhua comment section or streaming scene, it’s 233.

Unlike most of the codes we’ve discussed, 233 isn’t a homophone—it doesn’t sound like “hahaha.” Its origin is purely digital. The number comes from the old Chinese forum Mop (猫扑), where the 233rd emoticon in its library was a cartoon character rolling on the floor laughing.

Over time, the image disappeared, but the number lived on. Today, 233 is the Chinese internet’s universal equivalent of “LOL.”

In manhua: You’ll often see characters type 2333333, adding extra 3s to show they’re laughing even harder.

Translator’s Strategy: I might keep “233” to signal that a character is internet-savvy, but more often I localize it to “LOL,” “LMAO,” or “Pffft!” to keep the humor fast and natural.

2. 996 vs. 955 → The Office Struggle 🏢

In modern workplace manhua, numbers often function as a form of silent protest against professional burnout.

996 refers to the infamous work schedule: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., six days a week. It has become shorthand for exhaustion and toxic work culture.

955, on the other hand, is the dream: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., five days a week. In office romance or CEO manhua, the tension between 996 and 955 reflects deeper class and lifestyle conflicts.

Translator’s Note: Recognizing this contrast helps convey the unspoken social commentary beneath seemingly casual dialogue.

3. 94 (jiǔ sì) → “Exactly!” ✅

This is a filler code commonly used in fast-paced chat bubbles. It sounds like 就是 (jiù shì), meaning “Exactly” or “That’s right.”

In manhua, 94 appears during gossip sessions or quick agreements. Instead of typing a full sentence, a character simply drops a “94.” It’s the digital equivalent of a knowing nod.

4. 770 (qī qī líng) → “Kiss Me” 💋

770 is a playful code that sounds like 亲亲你 (qīn qīn nǐ).

In slice-of-life or comedy manhua, characters use this when they’re acting spoiled or coquettish. It’s far less serious than the vows in Part 2 and leans more toward lighthearted affection.

5. 918 → The Weight of History

This is where number slang stops being playful.

In manhua dealing with history, war, or patriotism, you may encounter 918. It refers to September 18, 1931, the date of the Mukden Incident, which led to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

In Chinese cultural memory, 918 represents national trauma and humiliation. It is never used jokingly. When this number appears, the tone shifts immediately.

Translator’s Note: This code requires extreme care. I usually add a footnote to explain its historical significance, ensuring the gravity of the moment isn’t lost.

6. 3Q (sān Q) → The Global Mix 🌍

The number 3 (sān) combined with the English letter Q sounds like “San-Q,” a phonetic shortcut for “Thank you.”

You’ll often see 3Q used by younger, Gen Z-style characters who switch effortlessly between Chinese and English online.

🇲🇾💬 The Malaysian Perspective

As a Malaysian Chinese translator, this shorthand-heavy style feels familiar. In Malaysia, we mix Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay, and English freely.

While a mainland reader might type 233, we might reply with “lolz,” “wkwkwk,” or “haha siao.” Translating manhua number slang constantly reminds me that people everywhere invent shortcuts to make communication faster, funnier, and more exclusive.

🔓✨ Final Thoughts: The Code Is Unlocked

Across these three parts, we’ve decoded romantic whispers like 520, fiery rejections like 748, office struggles like 996, and even internet memes like 233. These numbers aren’t just shortcuts—they’re living, breathing pieces of a language shaped by technology, culture, and history.

For readers, understanding them adds a layer of authenticity. For translators, they’re proof that meaning exists beyond the words on the page. The next time you see a string of numbers in a manhua, don’t skip over it—you now hold the key.

👀📖 Looking Ahead: Part 4 Preview

But this is just the beginning. Numbers tell us how characters feel, but what about how stories are built? How do “Systems,” “CEOs,” or even vampires shape the plot and our favorite clichés? That’s what we’ll explore in Part 4: Manhua Tropes – Systems, CEOs, and the Vampire’s Kiss.

💬 Reader Engagement

Which code surprised you the most—the viral origins of 233, or the historical weight behind 918? Drop a comment below, and stay tuned for Part 4, where we dive into the most addictive manhua tropes!

*This article is an original commentary written for educational and discussion purposes.