Slang

种草 (zhòng cǎo, 'plant grass') means being influenced to want something, especially a product. 拔草 (bá cǎo, 'pull grass') means resolving that desire, either by buying it or deciding not to buy.

What 种草 means

1

In the dictionary

种草 means to plant grass. 拔草 means to pull grass out.

2

What people mean online

种草 means someone or something made you want to buy, try, watch, or visit something: the desire has been planted. 拔草 is resolving that desire: sometimes by finally buying it, often by deciding not to buy after reviews, budget reality, or disappointment.

Character breakdown

种
zhòng
plant; grow
+
草
cǎo
grass
+
拔
bá
pull out
=
种草
zhòng cǎo / bá cǎo
“plant grass / pull grass”

How people use it

Influenced · Comment under a product review

这支口红也太好看了，我被种草了。

"This lipstick is way too pretty. I got totally influenced to want it."

Anti-haul · Reading negative reviews before buying

看完差评我成功拔草，省钱了。

"After reading the bad reviews, I successfully pulled the grass. Money saved."

Fandom shopping · Friend shows limited merch

别再给我种草谷子了，我这个月真的不能再买。

"Stop planting guzi merch cravings in me. I really can't buy more this month."

Where it comes from

种草 is native to shopping-heavy social media, especially Xiaohongshu. A recommendation, review, haul, photo, or friend can 'plant grass' in your mind: now you want the lipstick, notebook, cafe, drama, app, or travel destination. 被种草了 means 'I got influenced' or 'now I want it.'

拔草 is the second half of the metaphor, and it is easy to mistranslate because it has two common outcomes. Sometimes you pull the grass by finally buying the thing. Often, especially in review posts, you pull it by deciding not to buy after the hype fades. Either way, the desire is no longer growing.

Common questions

What does 种草 mean in Chinese slang?

种草 (zhòng cǎo) literally means 'plant grass.' In slang, it means to make someone want something, usually a product, place, show, app, or experience. 被种草了 means 'I was influenced to want it.'

What does 拔草 mean?

拔草 (bá cǎo) literally means 'pull grass.' In shopping slang, it means resolving the desire that was planted. It can mean finally buying the item, but it often means deciding not to buy after reading reviews or calming down.

Where is 种草 used most?

It is especially common on Xiaohongshu, Douyin, and other recommendation-driven platforms where beauty, fashion, travel, stationery, fandom merch, food, and lifestyle posts influence purchases.

Is 种草 only about shopping?

Shopping is the core use, but the metaphor can extend to media and experiences: a drama, restaurant, city, app, or hobby can all be 种草 if someone made you want to try it.

Related slang

Now read real Chinese, at your level

Every one has word-level pinyin, narrated audio and tap-to-define.

Browse every level →