奇葩

Originally a botanical term for a rare, exotic flower, '奇葩' got repurposed as internet slang for someone who is hilariously weird, eccentric, or just spectacularly bizarre. Think of it as calling someone a 'character' — but dialed up to eleven. It can be affectionate ribbing or gentle shade depending on context. The wildly popular TV show '奇葩说' (a debate show celebrating unconventional thinkers) supercharged this word into mainstream slang around 2015.

The 2014–2015 debut of the debate show '奇葩说' on iQIYI transformed a mildly negative term into a badge of honor for independent, creative thinkers. In a society that traditionally prizes conformity, reclaiming 'weirdo' as something cool reflected a generational shift — younger Chinese internet users were increasingly celebrating individuality and poking fun at rigid social norms.

指行为怪异、与众不同的人或事物，带有调侃意味，也可指罕见奇特之人。