Meaning:

“毒” means “poisonous,” and “鸡汤” literally means “chicken soup.” Not referring to an actual bowl of poisonous soup, this term is the opposite of what people call “chicken soup for the soul,” which originally referred to a best-selling series of books consisting of inspirational true stories about ordinary people’s lives. As China’s social media is flooded with such stories, some fed-up people have come up with what they think to be an antidote to the grossly rosy perspectives and positive energy that in some cases are just illusions, far from reality. Many of the “poisonous chicken soup” quotes are harsh and humorous.

Example:

A: 你看看邻居家的小明，每次考试都全班第一。

Nǐ kànkàn línjū jiā de xiǎomíng，měicì kǎoshì dōu quánbān dìyī。

Look at Xiao Ming who lives next door! The kid always comes on top of his class in exams.

B: 真正努力过的人，就会明白天赋的重要。

Zhēnzhèng nǔlì guò de rén，jiùhuì míngbái tiānfù de zhòngyào。

Only those who have worked hard can understand the importance of their natural gift.

A: 别给我引用网上那些毒鸡汤，赶紧写作业去。

Bié gěi wǒ yǐnyòng wǎngshàng nàxiē dú jītāng，gǎnjǐn xiě zuòyè qù 。

Don’t throw those “poisonous chicken soup” quotes you read online at me. Go and get your homework done now.