Just in case you missed it, we have been having a series of articles on our Chinese language blog about net language on BBS and blogs for certain categories like IT, automotive, beauty care. We also have an overall view of net language.

We thought about translating all of them, but since a good bit of the meaning is lost in translation, I will just summarize one of the more interesting ones for automotive category. Net language for automotive is quite rich, so the below is far from comprehensive, but will give you a taste.

CULTURE TERMS

FB (short for “fubai” or 腐败): The literal meaning of fubai is “corrupt.” It comes from describing the act of corrupt officials freely spending to enjoy life. Within auto forums, the term has been appropriated to refer to the netizens spending their own hard-earned money to enjoy life through such “FB” activities as going out for good food and traveling. Often these “offline” FB activities are organized “online” within the forums, as the sense of community is very strong. “Online” friends, who are united by their love of a particular car, can quickly become offline friends.

Example sentence by netizen: 活动口号:发掘一切可以腐败地地点! 重要提示!!基于每次召集实际到达人数远超过报名人数, 不报名突然袭击地,大家将赋予他光买单不腐败地权力!

Translation: Searching for a place for FB event. Note: Considering the actual participants number will be far beyond the sign-up number, if you come without reservation, we will accept your money, but we won’t let you in!

DX (short for “da xia” or 大虾): The literal meaning of “da xia” is “big shrimp.” DX serves as a sort of honorific title “hero” for a male netizen who says something cool or does something interesting.

Example sentence by netizen: 我的X车改装好了,请个位大虾多多指点,现在上图呵呵!

Translation: I have customized my car, would love DX to give comments on it. I am uploading pictures now!

LD (short for “lingdao” or 领导): The literal meaning is “leader,” which refers to the “boss” of the male netizen, be it their wife, girlfriend or children.

Example sentence by netizen: 给俺家领导做陪驾. 俺家领.导.去年学车有成，拿到本本。
Translation: I have been the “driving company” for the LD in my house. The LD learned driving very well least year, and got a drivers license finally.

CAR TERMS

Another key aspect of automotive net language is around the automobiles themselves. Netizens have developed a system of nicknames and acronyms to refer to their beloved cars.

Camry: 凯凯(Kai Kai), KK, KMR, CMR
Focus: 小福(little Fu), 福福 (Fu Fu), FKS, FCS
Polo: 菠萝 (pineapple)
Peugeot 307: 小狮 (little lion)
Peugeot 206: 小六 (little six)
Audi 4: 小4(little 4)
Nissan Tiida: 达达 (Da Da), DD, QD
Opel: 宝宝(bao bao/baby), 小欧(little ou)

DIGGING DEEPER ON NICKNAMES: FOCUS AND POLO

Looking at Ford Focus net language, according to the 93,721 messages mentioning Focus in our June data set, the official Chinese name “福克斯” gets the most number of mentions with 50% of all Focus messages mentioning this term. “小福” (Little “Fu”) gets 25%, and FKS gets 15% (a single message may have more than one mention of a nickname).

Regarding Polo and “pineapple” nickname: Polo’s Chinese name has similar pronunciation as pineapple (菠萝) “buo lo”. In fact, the official Polo owners’ club used pineapple as its symbol.

MORE THAN JUST WORDS

Every month now, we collect over 5 million automobile BBS messages written by over 150,000 consumers expressing opinions and feelings around cars (for more information about this data, see here). Of course, for our automobile clients, “listening” to what consumers say is important. But just as important is “knowing” and understanding the culture that this net language represents.

Such net language is essential for CIC’s text mining as well. In order to ensure that our mining has sufficient coverage and accuracy, we must maintain continual watch on this ever evolving net language.

Related articles:

Chinese Blogs, BBS and the Automobile Industry
Automobile: In China, the Chery Army sounds-off online
Planes, trains and automobiles: VW Polo GP too elitist for Chinese netizens