Meaning:

The literal translation of the English word “hardcore,” this Chinese term is originally used to describe a music genre (like hardcore rap) or games that can only be mastered with advanced skill and are played in longer sessions. However, Chinese netizens have increasingly used the term on other occasions in a similar meaning to “tough and cool.”

Example:

A: 小马刚拿到驾照，就租了一辆车带全班同学去海边。

Xiǎomǎ gāng nádào jiàzhào，jiù zū le yīliàng chē dài quánbān tóngxué qù hǎibiān。

The day he got his driver’s license, Xiaoma rented a vehicle and took all his classmates to the beach.

B: 他们班多少人？

Tāmen bān duōshǎo rén？

How large was his class?

A: 一共二十人。他租了一辆小巴。

Yīgòng èrshí rén。Tā zū le yīliàng xiǎobā。

Twenty students in total. He rented a minibus.

B: 这哥们真硬核！

Zhè gēmen zhēn yìnghé！

That dude is hardcore!