Culture glossary
The words that unlock Bilibili
Twelve terms cover ninety percent of what confuses first-time viewers. Each entry explains where a word comes from, when people use it — and when not to.
Danmaku: What It Means on Bilibili 弹幕
Learn what danmaku means on Bilibili, when viewers use it, and where to see the flying-comment culture in context. UP主 (UP Zhu): What It Means on Bilibili UP主
UP主 means 'uploader' — Bilibili's word for its creators. Learn what it implies and how it differs from 'influencer.' 666: Why Bilibili Viewers Type This Number 666
On Chinese video platforms 666 means 'awesome' — not what you might expect. Learn when viewers type it and what it replaced. YYDS: What It Means on Bilibili YYDS
YYDS ('eternal god') is Chinese internet hyperbole for 'the GOAT.' Learn its tone, limits, and when it's joking. 前方高能 (High Energy Ahead): The Danmaku Warning System 前方高能
'High energy ahead' is danmaku for 'brace yourself' — a community warning that flags big moments seconds before they happen. 空降 (Kongjiang): Why Comments Contain Timestamps 空降
空降 ('parachuting in') is how Bilibili viewers share timestamp shortcuts to skip long intros — community-made navigation. 高能进度条 (The High-Energy Timeline): Crowdsourced Hype Mapping 高能进度条
Bilibili's high-energy timeline shows where viewer reactions cluster — a crowdsourced map of a video's most intense moments. 二创 (Erchuang): Fan Creation Culture on Bilibili 二创
二创 (secondary creation) covers fan edits, remixes, MADs and derivative works — Bilibili's creative engine, governed by community credit norms. 番剧 (Bangumi): The Anime Zone, Explained 番剧
Bangumi means serialized anime — and on Bilibili, the licensed zone where official shows stream. Know the difference from fan content. 国创 (Guochuang): Chinese Original Animation 国创
Guochuang means Chinese original animation — a distinct, fast-growing industry with its own Bilibili zone, separate from Japanese anime. VUP: Virtual Creators on Bilibili VUP
VUP means virtual UP主 — streamers and creators performing through animated avatars. How the term works on Bilibili versus 'VTuber.' 梗 (Geng): Meme Culture on Bilibili 梗
梗 (geng) means meme or running joke — the shared references that make Bilibili comment sections feel like inside jokes. Learn how they live and die. Guichu (鬼畜): Bilibili's Remix Art Form 鬼畜
Guichu (鬼畜) is Bilibili's native remix genre — fast-cut, loop-driven edits that turn source material into rhythm instruments. Where it came from, how to watch it, and why it's affectionate rather than mean. 百大 (Baida): Bilibili's Top 100 Creator Award 百大
百大 (Baida) is Bilibili's annual Top 100 creators award — what it is, why it isn't a follower ranking, and how BiliGuide uses it for verification. 国风 (Guofeng): Traditional Chinese Style on a Modern Stage 国风
国风 (Guofeng) means 'national style' — modern music and visuals built on traditional Chinese instruments, imagery and stories. Where you'll meet it on Bilibili. 生肉 & 熟肉 (Shengrou & Shurou): Raw vs Subbed Videos 生肉 · 熟肉
生肉 (raw meat) means a video with no subtitles; 熟肉 (cooked meat) means it carries fan-made or official subtitles. Essential vocabulary for finding watchable content on Bilibili. awsl: The Danmaku That Means 'I'm Dead' awsl
awsl (啊我死了) — 'ah, I'm dead' — Bilibili's danmaku of the year for 2019. What it means, where it came from, and when to type it. 爷青回 (Ye Qing Hui): 'My Youth Is Back' 爷青回
爷青回 — 'my youth is back' — Bilibili's danmaku of the year for 2020, posted when something beloved returns. Its sad twin is 爷青结. 舰长 (Jianzhang): Bilibili Live's 'Captain' Rank 舰长
舰长 (Captain) is a monthly supporter rank in Bilibili livestreams — part of a naval hierarchy (Captain, Admiral, Fleet Admiral). What the ranks mean and how they differ from Charging.