偷感 (tōu gǎn)

“偷感 (Tōu gǎn), Stolen feeling” literally means the feeling of being stealthy like a thief, but it has taken on a new connotation among young people. It describes a mindset of wanting to stay low-key and avoid attention while quietly working towards one’s goals.

Unlike the negative connotations of “stealing,” “偷感 (tōu gǎn)” has a neutral to positive meaning. It highlights a preference for modesty and diligence over showiness. For instance, someone might say, “i人都有一种很重的偷感 (i rén dōu yǒuyī zhǒng hěn zhòng de tōu gǎn), Introverts have a strong sense of stolen feeling,” indicating that introverts prefer to work quietly without seeking the limelight.

This term resonates with those who value privacy and subtlety in their personal and professional lives. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on one’s own progress without the need for external validation.

Source:eChineseLearning