Slang dictionary · Work and life · Chinese internet slang
What does fanersai (凡尔赛) mean?
Also written: 凡尔赛, 凡尔赛文学, Versailles literature, humblebrag
In short
Fanersai (凡尔赛, fán ěr sài), "Versailles", is Chinese slang for humblebragging: showing off "in a low-key way" while seeming to complain, worry or be modest. The full term is 凡尔赛文学 ("Versailles literature"). The name comes from the Japanese manga The Rose of Versailles, about the lavish life of 18th-century French aristocrats. It went viral in 2020 and was one of the language magazine 咬文嚼字's top 10 buzzwords that year.
Where fanersai comes from
The name borrows from The Rose of Versailles (凡尔赛玫瑰), a manga about the French court's extravagance. Users called posts that feign distress while flaunting an "aristocratic" life "Versailles".
In 2020 Weibo and Douban filled with parodies of such posts, and 凡尔赛文学 became a hit; 咬文嚼字 put it tenth on its 2020 list. Its definition: a way of talking that shows off modestly, first putting yourself down and then lifting yourself up, praising yourself in the guise of a complaint.
Typical fanersai lines
- 好烦啊，老板又给我涨工资了，不知道钱该怎么花 (ugh, my boss gave me another raise; no idea how to spend it all)
- 随便考考就第一了，其实我都没怎么复习 (just casually came first; I barely studied)
- 男朋友非要送我车，可我连驾照都还没拿 (my boyfriend insists on buying me a car, but I don't even have a licence)
- 唉，最近又瘦了，以前的衣服都穿不了了 (sigh, lost weight again, none of my old clothes fit)
- 你这也太凡尔赛了吧 (that's so Versailles of you), calling someone out
The pattern: a sigh or complaint, then an "accidental" mention of money, grades, looks or romance. People who spot it reply 凡尔赛了 or 又在凡学 ("Versailles-ing again").
Similar words
| Term | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 凡尔赛 fanersai | humblebrag | the boast is disguised |
| 炫耀 / 晒 | show off | open bragging |
| 装 | putting on airs | broader, not always bragging |
| 普信 | ordinary but overconfident | about self-image, not a bragging style |
Tone
Calling someone 凡尔赛 is usually a half-joking callout, fine among friends. If they were sincerely sharing good news, it can make things awkward.
Adding 不是凡尔赛 ("not humblebragging") when posting your own good news is a common self-aware joke.
FAQ
What is 凡尔赛文学 (Versailles literature)?
The full name for fanersai: writing that boasts while sounding modest or upset. It is also shortened to 凡学.
Why is it called Versailles?
After the manga The Rose of Versailles, set among the luxurious French court; users compared humblebrags to aristocratic showing off.
What is fanersai in English?
Humblebrag.