SPIRITS OF THE AGE

孫佳慧 譚云飛

The transformation of animals into immortals， or “成精” （ch9ngj～ng， become spirits）， is common in classical Chinese literature. Snake spirits are found in “The Legend of the White Snake；” spider， rabbit， and scorpion spirits appear in Journey to the West； and fox spirits are all over Pu Songlings Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Though the character 精 （j～ng） usually refers to supernatural beings， it is now often used to describe people with vexing personalities.

Consider “戲精” （x#j～ng， drama spirit）： Like the English expression “drama queen，” this type of spirit is apt to overreact. If there is not enough going on in their lives， they will 給自己加戲 （g0i z#j@ ji` x#， make a scene for oneself）. Celebrities who pull publicity stunts are often called “drama spirits” as a backhanded compliment. During the 2015 Academy Awards， Chinese actress Huang Shengyi claimed that she had been scheduled to walk the red carpet with actor Tom Hanks， but had fainted backstage and missed the show. As Huang was not even listed as a presenter or nominee， netizens noted：

What a drama spirit！ She was totally making a scene for herself！

Zh8n sh# ge x#j～ng！ T` w1nqu1n ji&sh;# z3i g0i z#j@ ji` x#！

真是個戲精！她完全就是在給自己加戲！

Another popular term is “杠精” （g3ngj～ng）， roughly translated as “bicker spirit.” Using the second character from 抬杠 （t1ig3ng， to argue for the sake of arguing）， this term describes a type of contrarian often found trolling others on social media. After reading the post， “This is the best steak in the world，” a “bicker spirit” might haughtily comment， “Have you tasted all the steaks in the world？”

The original poster may retort：

Are you a bicker spirit？

N@ sh# ge g3ngj～ng ma？

你是個杠精嗎？

Some netizens have envisioned the outcome of a battle between a xijing with a gangjing， concluding that the latter will always gain the upper hand：

Xijing： Ive been promoted and now earn 50，000 RMB， but Im at a loss how to spend the money.

Zu#j#n sh8ngzh！， g4ngz～ zh2ng d3o w^ w3n， f2n9r b& zh～d3o z0nme hu` le.

最近升職，工資漲到5萬，反而不知道怎么花了。

Gangjing： I wouldnt know. Ive never earned so little.

W6 y0 b& zh～d3o， m9i n1guo n3me d～ de g4ngz～.

我也不知道，沒拿過那么低的

工資。

Another internet immortal is the

“豬精” （zh$j～ng）， or “pig spirit.” Rather than describing Journey to the Wests porcine hero， this is a derogatory term that means “fat and ugly.” Some women might claim to be “豬精女孩” （zh$j～ng n）h1i， pig spirit girl） to fish for compliments. However， it is offensive to call someone else a pig （unless its Peppa Pig—but thats a whole other story.）

If this is too much spirit talk， dont worry： The government agrees. The phrase “建國后不許成精” （ji3ngu5 h7u b&x;^ ch9ngj～ng， becoming an immortal is not allowed after the founding of the PRC） satirizes the official disapproval of “feudal” superstitions. In 2014， it was rumored that TV shows set after 1949 could no longer feature any animal spirits. Though this rumor proved untrue， the expression went viral and is often used to describe exceptionally cute or smart animals：

This kitty can open the door by itself！ I thought no one was allowed to become an immortal in the PRC！

Zh- zh～ xi2o m`o hu# z#j@ k`im9n！ B% sh# shu4 ji3ngu5 h7u b&x;^ ch9ngj～ng ma？

這只小貓會自己開門！不是說建國后不許成精嗎？