LYING FLAT

The slang term "lying flat" (至平, tǎng píng) is a Chinese internet expression that describes a lifestyle of rejecting societal pressures to overwork and pursue material success, instead choosing a more passive, low-effort approach to life. It reflects a form of quiet resistance to the competitive, high-pressure culture prevalent in modern Chinese society, particularly among younger generations.

The term originated in April 2021, when a user named "Kind-Hearted Traveler" posted a photo of himself lying in bed on the Chinese social media app Baidu with the caption "Lying Flat Is Justice." This was accompanied by a manifesto describing his minimalist lifestyle where he worked odd jobs just enough to survive, rejected consumerism, and spent much of his time resting. The post went viral in China, resonating with many young people feeling burned out by the intense "996" work culture and facing increasing economic pressures despite their hard work.

The Chinese government has criticized the trend, seeing it as a threat to economic growth and social stability. State media labeled it negative and unpatriotic, promoting instead the virtues of hard work and perseverance. Despite this, "lying flat" remains a symbol of silent protest against systemic pressures and has even spread to the Anglosphere and Europe, where it is likened to terms such as "Quiet Quitting" and "Act Your Wage." While some see it as defeatist, others consider it a philosophical stance against unsustainable work-life expectations and view it as a necessary pushback against exploitative systems.

"Lying flat" is a neologism, a newly coined word or phrase that has recently come into use or has been created to describe a new concept, idea, or phenomenon. Neologisms can be created in any language and can take different forms, such as: