China in Translation
Chinese Term ‘Wuxin Gongzuo’: Can’t Focus on Work Due to Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Chinese netizens are so focused on the Russian attack on Ukraine that nobody can focus on work (wuxin gongzuo).
There is one new word today capturing the mood on Chinese social media in light of the Russia-Ukraine crisis: wū xīn gōngzuò (乌心工作), meaning people are so concerned with what is happening in Ukraine, that they cannot focus on work.
The term that became a meme on Chinese social media today is a wordplay on the term wúxīn gōngzuò (无心工作), meaning not being in the mood to work.
With the Russian military operation in…
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.
Eye on Digital China is a reader-supported publication by
Manya Koetse (@manyapan) and powered by What’s on Weibo.
It offers independent analysis of China’s online culture, media, and social trends.
To receive the newsletter and support this work, consider
becoming a paid subscriber.
Mbappé, Mao & the Backlash on Chinese Social Media
Mbappé, Mao, and the Joke That Shall Not Be Named
The French Protests, Viewed from China: Five Narratives on Chinese Social Media
What Does 20 Yuan ($3) Mean Anymore? China’s Disappearing Living Rooms & the Great Laundry Debate
Starbucks Goes Xinjiang & The Kardashians in China
Why Japan Has So Many Surnames, China’s Back-to-School Shifts & Taiwan Pavilion Trouble
The Power of Ugly: Why Niu Lai Became China’s Unlikeliest Box-Office Hit
The Rise of “Shuaqi-ism,” Taking Starbucks to the Fields, and Pretending to Go to Work
AI Actress Ad Pulled, Baihaitun Disrupts Shanghai and Cicada Meme Bugs Huawei
Blame Games & Bad Signs: Nepal–Tibet Floods, Huawei’s Toilet Trouble, “Screwed” Graduates
-
Chinese New Year9 months agoInside Chunwan 2026: China’s Spring Festival Gala
-
China Brands, Marketing & Consumers12 months agoHasan Piker’s China Trip & the Unexpected Journey of a Chinese School Uniform to Angola
-
Chapter Dive8 months agoInside the Great Chinese Debate Over the Iran War
-
China Trend Watch12 months agoJapan Tensions, Nexperia Fallout, Yunnan’s ‘Wild Child,’ & “Modern Opium”