【Catch Phrase】五毛特效（wǔmáo tèxiào）

Meaning:

“五毛” means “50 cents,” and “特效” refers to “special effects” used in films, TV shows, games and other stage productions. As nowadays one yuan won’t buy you a bun in the supermarket, 50 cents is almost useless. Coined by Chinese netizens, this term is used to criticize poor special effects in some Chinese movies and TV shows, as some people say they are “worth less than 50 cents.”

Example:

A: 你看国产玄幻剧吗？

Nǐ kàn guóchǎn xuánhuànjù ma?

Do you watch Chinese fantasy TV series?

B: 不看。因为我不追明星小鲜肉，而且无法忍受电视剧里的五毛特效。

Bù kàn。Yīnwèi wǒ bù zhuī míngxīng xiǎoxiānròu, érqiě wúfǎ rěnshòu diànshìjù lǐ de wǔmáo tèxiào。

Not really. Because I am not a fan of those young idols, and I cannot stand the poor special effects in the TV series.

A: 你看什么节目？

Nǐ kàn shénme jiémù?

What kind of programs do you watch?

B: 一些纪录片、科普节目，还有美剧。

Yīxiē jìlùpiān、kēpǔ jiémù, háiyǒu měijù。

Some documentaries, pop science programs and American TV series.

(First editor: Debra Li)