打工人
释义 DEFINITION
『打工人』是近年来中国互联网流行的自嘲式称谓，主要包含三层含义：
- 字面含义：指从事体力劳动或基层工作的劳动者
- 延伸含义：泛指所有为工资工作的上班族，包含白领阶层
- 网络语境：带有黑色幽默的自称，表达对高强度工作、低生活质量的无奈，同时隐含着『努力生活』的积极态度
当前网络使用中，第三种含义占比超过90%。这个词汇完美体现了当代年轻人『边吐槽边奋斗』的矛盾生存状态。
词源故事 ETYMOLOGY
『打工人』的爆红始于2020年双十一期间，某网友在微博发布：'早安打工人！带着困意也要微笑，因为今天砖头依然烫手。'这条充满黑色幽默的早安语录迅速引发共鸣。
词汇演变可分为三个阶段：
- 原始阶段（2000年代）：广东话『打工』+ 普通话『人』，指代外来务工人员
- 解构阶段（2018）：B站用户开始用『打工战士』自嘲，搭配《进击的巨人》表情包
- 爆红阶段（2020）：结合内卷讨论，衍生出『打工人专属BGM』、『工位文学』等亚文化现象
典型使用场景：
- 凌晨加班时发朋友圈：『凌晨三点的城市，打工人不需要睡眠』
- 回复老板消息：『收到！打工人已启动24小时待机模式』
- 双十一消费：『打工人钱包阵亡报告：本月第8个快递正在派送』
这个词汇的持久生命力源于它精准捕捉了后疫情时代的工作焦虑，同时用幽默消解压力——正如网友所说：『自称打工人后，加班都变得悲壮了起来』。
DEFINITION
The term dagongren (literally 'working people') has evolved into China's version of 'wage slave' with cultural nuances:
- Originally describing blue-collar workers, now encompasses all office workers surviving the 996 work culture
- Carries self-deprecating humor about being trapped in the rat race, similar to Western 'corporate drone' but with more resilience
- Often used with meme-worthy determination like 'Work today, live tomorrow!'
It's a cultural cocktail blending Confucian work ethic, millennial burnout, and internet sarcasm.
ETYMOLOGY
The rise of dagongren mirrors Western 'quiet quitting' movement but with Chinese characteristics. It went viral in November 2020 when a Weibo post declared: 'Good morning wage slaves! Keep smiling through tired eyes, because the bricks (work) are still hot today.'
Cultural context explaining its spread:
- 996 Culture：Many Chinese tech companies operate on 9am-9pm/6 days schedule
- Neijuan (Involution)：Workers trapped in endless competition for basic survival
- Meme Culture：Creative adaptations like 'Wage Slave Anthem' remixes on Douyin
International observers note it's more than a meme - it's a generational coping mechanism. As one Zhihu user wrote: 'Calling myself wage slave doesn't stop the overtime, but at least I laugh before crying.' The term now even appears in labor rights discussions, showing how internet slang can spark real social dialogue.