Slang dictionary · Moods and personality · Chinese internet slang
What does qingxu jiazhi (情绪价值) mean?
Also written: emotional value, 提供情绪价值, qingxu jiazhi
In short
情绪价值 (qíngxù jiàzhí, "emotional value") is a person's ability to make others feel happy, relaxed, understood and supported, as in 他很会给情绪价值 ("he's great at giving emotional value"). It started as a marketing concept, the emotional benefit a customer perceives minus the emotional cost, and was later applied to relationships. In 2023 the editors of Yaowen Jiaozi (咬文嚼字) put it on their top ten Chinese buzzwords of the year.
From marketing to relationships
In marketing, a product offers more than function: buying something you love also feels good. 情绪价值 measured that part, the emotional gain a customer perceives minus the emotional cost.
The popular sense moved the idea to people. Announcing their 2023 buzzwords, the Yaowen Jiaozi editors explained that today's 情绪价值 describes relationships: a person's ability to influence how others feel. You hear it about dating, friends, coworkers and family.
How to use it
- 「我吐槽加班，她说『换我也受不了』，情绪价值给满了。」 (I complained about overtime and she said "I couldn't stand it either". Full emotional support.)
- 「找对象不只看条件，情绪价值也很重要。」 (In a partner, it's not just looks and money; emotional value matters too.)
- 「这家店的店员太会夸人了，情绪价值拉满。」 (The staff here compliment you nonstop. Maximum good vibes.)
- 「我不需要你解决问题，只想要点情绪价值。」 (I don't need a fix, I just want some emotional support.)
Common patterns: 提供 / 给 / 要情绪价值 (provide / give / want emotional value), 情绪价值拉满 (maxed out), 高 / 低情绪价值 (high / low).
High vs low emotional value
| Situation | High emotional value | Low emotional value |
|---|---|---|
| A friend fails an exam | "That's rough, let's get food first" | "I told you to study" |
| Partner shares good news | picks it up and asks for details | replies "ok" |
| A coworker finishes a project | praises specific parts | only points out flaws |
Not a one-way demand
Emotional value goes both ways. Expecting it from someone without giving any back, or blaming a partner with "you don't give me emotional value", misses the point. It also is not the same as always agreeing: honest listening and good advice count too.
FAQ
How do you give someone emotional value?
Listen first, acknowledge how they feel before offering solutions, praise specific things and remember what matters to them. The aim is for them to feel understood, not flattered.
Is 情绪价值 a compliment?
Saying someone has high emotional value is praise. Using the term only to demand things from others can sound selfish.
Is 情绪价值 an official buzzword?
Yes. It was ninth on the 2023 top ten buzzwords list from the editors of the Chinese language magazine Yaowen Jiaozi (咬文嚼字).