China in Translation

Chinese New Nickname for Trump Mixes Fairy Tales with Tariff War

From Comrade Trump to the Tariff Beauty, Trump has many nicknames on Chinese social media.

Published

1 year ago

April 16, 2025

As the tariff turmoil between the US and China continues, President Trump has earned himself a new nickname on Chinese social media.

Over the years, Chinese netizens have come up with many different nicknames for the American President, whose Chinese name is usually transliterated as 川普 Chuānpǔ for phonetic reasons (read more here: Why Trump Has Two Different Names in Chinese).

But Chinese netizens call Trump many other things than just Chuānpǔ.…

Up Next

Do You Know Who Li Gang Is? Anti-Corruption Official Arrested for Corruption

Don't Miss

China Trending Week 15/16: Gu Ming Viral Collab, Maozi & Meigui Fallout, Datong Post-Engagement Rape Case

Manya Koetse

Manya Koetse is a sinologist, writer, and public speaker specializing in China’s social trends, digital culture, and online media ecosystems. She founded What’s on Weibo in 2013 and now runs the Eye on Digital China newsletter. Learn more at manyakoetse.com or follow her on X, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Click to comment

China in Translation

China’s 2025 Year in Review in 12 Phrases

Andrew Methven’s favorite Chinese phrases of the year, a special feature by RealTime Mandarin.

Published

9 months ago

December 31, 2025

Andrew Methven

Dear Reader,

Happy New Year! A new year is, undoubtedly, filled with new resolutions. I have a few on my list, and maybe we have some in common—like reading more books (my new e-reader is arriving from Shenzhen tomorrow!) and being more diligent about practicing my new Chinese vocabulary.

If upping your Chinese is also on your list for 2026, Andrew Methven’s newsletter, RealTime Mandarin, is a must-follow. It’s a free weekly resource that…

China in Translation

Jiehun Huazhai (结婚化债): Getting Married to Pay Off Debts

Published

1 year ago

July 3, 2025

Manya Koetse

🔥 A version of this story also appeared in the Weibo Watch newsletter. Subscribe to stay in the loop.

Our Weibo phrase of the week is 结婚化债 jiéhūn huàzhài. Lately, the term “结婚化债” jiéhūn huàzhài, which translates to “marriage as debt resolution” or “getting married to resolve debt” is a recurring term on Chinese social media.

The word refers to a phenomenon that has become more prevalent alongside rising debts among…