Meaning:

    “人鱼” means “mermaid,” and “线”

    means “line.” This term is equivalent to the iliac furrow, also known as Apollo’s belt or an Adonis belt. It refers to either one of two shallow grooves of the surface anatomy of the human abdomen running from the iliac crest (hip bone) to the pubis. It’s called “mermaid line” because the V-shape resembles the tail of a mermaid. Often used by bodybuilders and their admirers, the Apollo’s belt was first thought of as being sexy by Da Vinci in “On Painting.” Many women claim that they have Apollo’s belt too.

    Example:

    A: 最近你在忙什么？

    Zuìjìn nǐ zài máng shénme?

    What are you up to lately?

    B: 每天下班我都去健身。

    Měitiān xiàbān wǒ dōu qù jiànshēn。

    I go to the gym after work each day.

    A: 为什么？

    Wèi shénme?

    Why?

    B: 我喜欢的女生喜欢健美的男生，我也想练出人鱼线来。

    Wǒ xǐhuān de nǚshēng xǐhuān jiànměi de nánshēng, wǒ yě xiǎng liàn chū rényúxiàn lai。

    The girl I have a crush on likes hunky guys, and I want to have a good-looking Apollo’s belt.