Meaning:

    “废” means “waste” or “useless,” and “柴” is “firewood.” Literally, it refers to wet firewood that can no longer be used. Originating from Cantonese, this derogative term is widely used by Chinese netizens. It can simply be translated as “loser.”

    Example:

    A: 你怎么唉声叹气的？

    Nǐ zěnme āishēng-tànqì de?

    Why are you sighing?

    B: 老板介绍了他的侄子给我当副手，可是他一点都不配合我的工作。

    Lǎobǎn jièshào le tā de zhízi gěi wǒ dāng fùshǒu, kěshì tā yīidiǎn dōu bù pèihé wǒ de gōngzuò。

    The boss recommended his nephew to be my deputy, but the young man wouldn’t cooperate.

    A: 他总是提反对意见吗？

    Tā zǒngshì tí fǎnduì yìjiàn ma?

    Does he always oppose your decisions?

    B: 也不是。他是个花花公子类型的废柴，什么都不会，也什么都不想干。

    Yě bùshì。Tā shì ge huāhuā-gōngzǐ lèixíng de fèichái, shénme dōu bùhuì, yě shénme dōu bù xiǎng gàn。

    Not that. He is a playboy-kind-of-loser. He doesn’t know anything, neither does he want to do anything.