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
那咋了
nà zǎ le
'So what?' / 'What about it?' — a breezy, unbothered verbal shrug from northeastern China that brushes off pressure, criticism, or a perceived shortcoming.
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.