摆烂

bǎi làn

Let it rot — giving up entirely on trying, embracing failure or mediocrity.

Origin

From NBA basketball culture where losing teams "tank" on purpose. Adopted by Chinese netizens as an even more extreme version of 躺平.

Examples

Exams are tomorrow and I haven't studied — time to 摆烂.

这学期我直接摆烂了。(I'm just letting it rot this semester.)

Related terms

躺平

tǎng píng

Lying flat — rejecting the rat race, choosing to do the bare minimum instead of overworking.

干饭人

gān fàn rén

Eating machine / foodie warrior — someone who eats with great enthusiasm and passion.

佛系

fó xì

Buddha-like — having a zen, whatever-happens-happens attitude toward life. Not caring about outcomes.

第三空间

dì sān kōng jiān

Third space — a place that's neither home nor work where you can relax (cafes, libraries, parks).