{"id":2998,"date":"2023-01-09T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/troubadourworks.com\/tiandi\/meotw\/?p=2998"},"modified":"2025-09-27T09:54:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T16:54:25","slug":"bailan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/troubadourworks.com\/tiandi\/meotw\/2023\/01\/09\/bailan\/","title":{"rendered":"b\u01ceil\u00e0n"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\t\tb\u01ceil\u00e0n<\/span>\n(b\u01cei\u00b7l\u00e0n\n{place; arrange \u2192<\/span> [assume; put on (air of) | exhibit; display]}<\/span> \u00b7 {being rotten; decayed; spoiled | worn out; broken; ragged; crappy | mushy}<\/span>\n\u6446\u70c2\n\u64fa\u721b<\/span>)<\/span>\n\n \u2190 Tap\/click to show\/hide the \u201cflashcard\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n\n

In 2022, this week\u2019s MEotW, \u201cb\u01ceil\u00e0n<\/i><\/span>\n(b\u01cei\u00b7l\u00e0n\n{place; arrange \u2192<\/span> [assume; put on (air of) | exhibit; display]}<\/span> \u00b7 {being rotten; decayed; spoiled | worn out; broken; ragged; crappy | mushy}<\/span>\n\u6446\u70c2\n\u64fa\u721b<\/span>)<\/span>\u201d, gained popularity among some young people in China as an expression that represents their approach to life in view of the difficult, even seemingly hopeless work culture, societal expectations, etc. that they are faced with. \u201cB\u01ceil\u00e0n<\/i><\/span>\n(B\u01cei\u00b7l\u00e0n\n{place; arrange \u2192<\/span> [assume; put on (air of) | exhibit; display]}<\/span> \u00b7 {being rotten; decayed; spoiled | worn out; broken; ragged; crappy | mushy}<\/span>\n\u6446\u70c2\n\u64fa\u721b<\/span>)<\/span>\u201d represents a progression beyond \u201ct\u01cengp\u00edng<\/i><\/span>\n(t\u01ceng\u00b7p\u00edng\nlie; recline \u00b7 {[to be] flat}<\/span>\n\u8eba\u5e73)<\/span>\u201d, a past MEotW<\/a>\u2014just compare the cats!<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/p>\n

Some image results from searching for \u201c\u6446\u70c2\u201d (\u201cb\u01ceil\u00e0n<\/span>\n(b\u01cei\u00b7l\u00e0n\n{place; arrange \u2192<\/span> [assume; put on (air of) | exhibit; display]}<\/span> \u00b7 {being rotten; decayed; spoiled | worn out; broken; ragged; crappy | mushy}<\/span>\n\u6446\u70c2\n\u64fa\u721b<\/span>)<\/span>\u201d<\/span>) on Google<\/i><\/p>\n

Reports from Around the Internet<\/h4>\n

Here are some of the many media reports about this expression:<\/p>\n

The rise of \u2018bai lan\u2019: why China\u2019s frustrated youth are ready to \u2018let it rot\u2019 | China | The Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are some quotes from the above article:<\/p>\n

\nIn recent days, this phrase \u2013 and more previously \u2018tang ping\u2019 (lying flat, \u8eba\u5e73), which means rejecting gruelling competition for a low desire life \u2013 gained popularity as severe competition and high social expectations prompted many young Chinese to give up on hard work.<\/p>\n

But bai lan has a more worrying layer in the way it is being used by young people in China: to actively embrace a deteriorating situation, rather than trying to turn it around.<\/p>\n

\u2026<\/p>\n

Prof Mary Gallagher, director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan, says \u2018bai lan\u2019 is not necessarily a sentiment unique to China. \u201cIt is a bit like the \u2018slacker\u2019 generation in America in the 1990s. And like \u2018tang ping\u2019 last year, it is also a rejection against the ultra-competitiveness of today\u2019s Chinese society.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2026<\/p>\n

More than 18% of young Chinese people aged between 16 and 24 were jobless in April \u2013 the highest since the official record began. \u201cHard to find a job after graduation this year? Fine, I\u2019ll just bai lan \u2013 stay at home and watch TV all day,\u201d wrote one netizen who struggled to find work, despite China\u2019s top leader urged young people to fight for the future.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Language Log \u00bb \u201cLet it rot\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n