City不city (city bù city)

The phrase “city不city (city bù city)” started with a foreign blogger who mixed Chinese and English while describing his travels in China. He would say things like “上海好city啊 (Shànghǎi hǎo city a), Shanghai is so city” or “长城一点都不city (Chángchéng yīdiǎn dōu bù city), The Great Wall is not city at all.” Here, “city” is used as an adjective meaning urbanized, fashionable, or exciting.

In online discussions, “city不city (city bù city)” is used to describe places, outfits, or experiences with a modern and stylish vibe. For example, when planning a trip, you might ask, “这个城市city不city? (Zhège chéngshì city bù city?), Is this city city or not?” to inquire if it has a cosmopolitan feel. Similarly, showing off a new outfit and asking, “这样穿搭city不city? (Zhèyàng chuān dā city bù city?), Is this outfit city or not?” is a way of asking if it looks trendy.

The term has also come to signify excitement and thrill. Saying “顶着大雨骑行，好city (Dǐngzhe dàyǔ qí xíng, hǎo city), Cycling in the heavy rain is so city” conveys a sense of exhilaration. The versatility of “city不city (city bù city)” has made it a favorite among young people looking to add a touch of flair to their descriptions.