Meaning:

Literally translated as “grabbing the sofa,” this Chinese term refers to being the first person to post a comment or article after the thread starter on social media or in online chatrooms. “Sofa” implies a comfortable or important position. Some said the term came from someone who exclaimed “so fast” as a response to the first person who commented on a thread, since “so fast” sounds similar to “sofa.” The second person to comment on a thread is said to have “grabbed a stool.”

Example:

A: 你每天花多少时间看微博？

Nǐ měitiān huā duōshǎo shíjiān kàn wēibó?

How much time do you spend every day checking out Weibo?

B: 随时都在看。

Suíshí dōu zài kàn。

I’m constantly checking it on my mobile.

A: 难怪我发现好多明星发帖你都抢了沙发。

Nánguài wǒ fāxiàn hǎoduō míngxīng fātiě nǐ dōu qiǎng le shāfā。

No wonder you were often the first to comment on celebrities’ new posts.