Chinese Words of the Year for 2025 年度代表字

Comparing the words and attitudes of China and Taiwan 2025比較中國與台灣的詞彙與態度

Words of the Year show what people talk about most. 年度代表字顯示了人們最常談論的話題。

In 2025, China’s words focus on AI development. Taiwan’s words focus on checking information and online life. 2025 年，中國的代表字聚焦於 AI（人工智慧）的發展。台灣的代表字則聚焦於查核資訊與網路生活。

Mainland China (People's Republic of China) 中國大陸（中華人民共和國）

1. 深度探索 (Shēndù Tànsuǒ) DeepSeek - A Chinese AI model.

   Example: 深度探索讓很多人看到中國 AI 的進步。(DeepSeek helped many people see China’s progress in AI.)

2. 具身智能 (jùshēn zhìnéng) Embodied intelligence - AI inside robots.

   Example: 具身智能機器人開始在工廠工作。(Embodied-intelligence robots have started working in factories.)

3. 韧 (rèn) Resilience - The ability to keep going when things are difficult.

   Example: 遇到困難時，中國常用「韧」來表示不放棄。(When facing difficulties, China often uses “resilience” to mean not giving up.)

Taiwan (Republic of China) 台灣（中華民國）

1. AI 詐騙 (AI zhàpiàn) AI-based fraud, such as fake voices or messages.

   Example: 現在 AI 詐騙很多，大家都要小心。(There are many AI scams now, so everyone needs to be careful.)

2. 要確捏 / 要確欸 (yào què niē / yào què ēi)A casual way to say “Are you sure?” Used to double-check information.

   Example: 這是真的嗎？要確捏？(Is this real? Are you sure?)

3. 觸 (chù)  (Taiwan online slang)From English “true,” Used to show agreement. Online only.

   Example: 你說得對，觸。(You’re right. True.)

4. 脆 (cuì) Threads (transliteration because there is no “th” sound in /Mandarin; 脆literally means “crispy”)  

   Example: 我在 脆 看到這個討論。(I saw this discussion on Threads.)

Tomorrow … a short dialog using these words. 明天 … 一段使用這些詞彙的簡短對話。

(image generated with Gemini Nano Banana)