If you spend time on Chinese social media, you might come across two popular buzzwords: “社牛 (shè niú)” and “社恐 (shè kǒng)”. They’re fun, expressive ways to describe how people behave in social situations — from the super outgoing to the painfully shy.
But what do they really mean, and how do you use them in daily life? Let‘s find out.
What “社牛(shè niú)” and “社恐(shè kǒng)” Mean
Both words start with “社 (shè)”, short for “社交 (shè jiāo)”, meaning “social.”
The second character makes all the difference:牛 (niú) literally means “cow” or “bull,” but in slang it means “awesome” or “bold.” So “社牛 (shè niú)” refers to someone who‘s extremely confident and outgoing — the kind of person who can start a conversation anywhere.
恐 (kǒng) means “fear.” So “社恐 (shè kǒng)” describes someone who feels anxious or uncomfortable in social settings — basically, a “socially awkward” or “introverted” person.
Examples in Real Life
Here‘s how you might hear these words in daily conversation:
Tā zhēn shì gè shè niú, hé shéi dōu néng liáo shàng tiān.
她真是个社牛，和谁都能聊上天。
She‘s such a social butterfly — she can talk to anyone!
Wǒ shì shè kǒng, yī xiǎng dào yào chǎng tán jiù jǐn zhāng.
我是社恐，一想到要场谈就紧张。
I‘m socially anxious — I get nervous just thinking about small talk.
Tā zài wǎng shàng shè niú, xiàn shí shè kǒng.
他在网上社牛，现实社恐。
He‘s super confident online, but shy in real life.
Related Slang You Should Know
These slang words often show up together online:
Nèi xiàng 内向 – introverted
Wài xiàng 外向 – extroverted
Huà láo 话唠 – chatterbox
How to Use Them Naturally
When chatting with Chinese friends or coworkers, you can use “社牛(shè niú)” ” or “社恐(shè kǒng)” to describe yourself or others in a playful, non-serious way.
For example:
Wǒ bú shì shè kǒng, wǒ zhǐ shì bù xiǎng liáo tiān.
我不是社恐，我只是不想聊天。
I‘m not socially anxious, I just don‘t feel like talking.
Or jokingly say:
Jīn tiān kāi huì de wǒ, shè niú fǎn shēn shàng xiàn!
今天开会的我，社牛反身上线！
The “extrovert version” of me just came online for this meeting!
In China, being “社牛(shè niú)” isn‘t always about confidence — it‘s also about connection. People admire those who can build relationships easily, speak comfortably in groups, and make others feel included. On the other hand, calling yourself “社恐(shè kǒng)” is a lighthearted way to admit shyness — often used humorously, not seriously.
Join the Conversation Like a Native
Words like “社牛(shè niú)” and “社恐(shè kǒng)” show how creative and humorous modern Chinese slang can be. They reflect not just personality types, but the way people talk about themselves in today‘s social world.
At eChineseLearning, our native teachers don‘t just teach grammar — they help you understand real Chinese culture and conversations. From social slang to small talk, you’ll learn how to sound natural and confident.
Try a free 1-on-1 trial class today and start chatting like a Native!
Quiz: If someone says “Wǒ shì shè kǒng” (我是社恐), what do they mean?
A) They love socializing
B) They feel nervous in social settings
C) They are confident at parties
👉 Comment your answer below!
✅ Correct Answer: B