直男
释义 DEFINITION
直男一词在中文互联网语境中有双重含义：
- 字面含义：原指异性恋男性（与LGBTQ+群体对应）
- 网络引申义：现多用于形容不懂女性心理、缺乏浪漫细胞、审美单一的男性，带有调侃意味。例如：穿格子衬衫配运动鞋、用‘多喝热水’回应女友情绪、分不清口红色号等行为都可能被贴上‘直男’标签
根据百度指数统计，2023年该词90%以上的使用场景集中于第二种含义。值得注意的是，这种调侃背后也反映了当代中国年轻群体对传统性别角色认知的微妙解构。
词源故事 ETYMOLOGY
‘直男’的词义演变堪称一部当代中国社会观念变迁的微缩史。早在本世纪初，这个词还只是性少数群体讨论中的中性术语。转折点出现在2015年左右，微博上开始出现#直男审美#话题，网友晒出男友挑选的‘死亡芭比粉’口红、荧光色羽绒服等‘灾难级’礼物，引发全民吐槽狂欢。
2018年综艺节目《吐槽大会》中，明星张绍刚的‘直男式穿搭’被做成表情包广泛传播。此后，‘直男’逐渐脱离性取向定义，成为某种文化符号——它既包含对传统大男子主义的戏谑，也暗含对跨性别理解障碍的无奈。
有趣的是，这个标签的泛化也催生了反向玩梗。知乎上‘作为直男被误解怎么办？’的提问获得3.2万关注，B站UP主‘直男改造计划’系列视频播放量破亿。这些现象展现了中国年轻一代在解构性别刻板印象时的复杂心态：既批判又包容，在调侃中寻求对话。
典型例句：
‘我男朋友真是宇宙级直男，情人节居然送了我一箱螺蛳粉！’
‘别看程序员小哥穿衣直男，他写的代码浪漫得要命。’
DEFINITION
The term zhí nán (直男) has evolved in Chinese internet culture with two layers of meaning:
- Literal definition: Originally refers to heterosexual men (as opposed to LGBTQ+ community)
- Internet slang: Now predominantly used to describe men who lack understanding of feminine psychology, romantic sensitivity, or fashion sense. Think of stereotypical behaviors like wearing plaid shirts with sneakers, responding to a girlfriend's emotional needs with ‘drink more hot water’, or being clueless about lipstick shades.
Cultural context: This term reflects Gen Z's playful critique of traditional masculinity in China. It's similar to Western concepts like ‘clueless boyfriend’ memes, but with unique local flavors shaped by China's rapidly changing gender dynamics.
ETYMOLOGY
The evolution of zhí nán mirrors China's shifting gender dynamics in the digital age. Originally a clinical term in LGBTQ+ discussions, its transformation began around 2015 when Weibo users launched the hashtag #StraightGuyAesthetics#. Netizens shared hilarious examples of boyfriends' fashion faux pas – think neon-colored down jackets or alarmingly pink lipsticks – turning it into a national inside joke.
The trend reached mainstream consciousness in 2018 when TV host Zhang Shaogang's ‘straight guy outfits’ became viral memes. Gradually, zhí nán evolved into a cultural metaphor representing more than sexual orientation – it encapsulates humorous frustrations with traditional masculinity, akin to Western ‘clueless boyfriend’ tropes but with distinct Chinese characteristics.
Interestingly, this stereotyping sparked counter-movements. On Quora-like platform Zhihu, discussions like ‘How to deal with being misunderstood as a zhí nán?’ gained 32k followers. Bilibili creators’ ‘Straight Guy Makeover’ videos surpassed 100 million views, revealing Gen Z's nuanced approach to gender norms: deconstructing stereotypes through humor while fostering mutual understanding.
Typical usage:
‘My BF is the ultimate zhí nán – he gifted me instant stinky noodles for Valentine's!’
‘Don't judge by the programmer's zhí nán fashion sense; his code is pure poetry.’