加油
- Word for word
Add oil- What it really means
- You've got this! / Go for it!
- In a sentence
- “明天考试，加油！”
- Natural English
- “Exam tomorrow, you've got this!” Meaning Match 92
Chinese slang translators get wrong
Chinese idioms and internet slang (add oil, release pigeons, eat melon) are a classic trap for literal translation. Here is what they really mean.
放鸽子
- Word for word
Release pigeons on me- What it really means
- Stand me up / bail on me
- In a sentence
- “明天再来，别放我鸽子哦。”
- Natural English
- “Come again tomorrow, don't stand me up, okay?” Meaning Match 92
马马虎虎
- Word for word
Horse horse tiger tiger- What it really means
- So-so
- In a sentence
- “我的英语马马虎虎。”
- Natural English
- “My English is so-so.” Meaning Match 92
小菜一碟
- Word for word
A small plate of side dishes- What it really means
- A piece of cake
- In a sentence
- “这点小事对我来说是小菜一碟。”
- Natural English
- “This little thing is a piece of cake for me.” Meaning Match 92
打酱油
- Word for word
I'm just here to buy soy sauce- What it really means
- I'm just passing by / not involved
- In a sentence
- “别问我，我只是来打酱油的。”
- Natural English
- “Don't ask me, I'm just here to watch the show.” Meaning Match 92
炒鱿鱼
- Word for word
Fried squid (by the boss)- What it really means
- Got fired
- In a sentence
- “他上个月被老板炒鱿鱼了。”
- Natural English
- “He got fired by his boss last month.” Meaning Match 95
吹牛
- Word for word
Blowing the cow- What it really means
- Bragging, talking big
- In a sentence
- “别吹牛了，你根本不会做饭。”
- Natural English
- “Stop bragging, you can't cook at all.” Meaning Match 92
一言为定
- Word for word
One word settles it- What it really means
- It's a deal!
- In a sentence
- “好，周六见，一言为定！”
- Natural English
- “Good, see you Saturday, it's a deal!” Meaning Match 92
Why word-for-word translation fails here
Slang and idioms mean something different from their words. Rebotar translates the meaning, catches slang and idioms, and shows a Meaning Match score so you know it's right before you hit send.
Translate your own text free 🪃