Chinese Urban Dictionary: Ganhuo

By Mia Li, July 20, 2018

ganhuo / gānhuò / 干货 noun. substantive information that's often obscured by unnecessary fluff

A: Did you read the annual report Jeff submitted yesterday?
B: Yeah, it's full of clichéd slogans and empty words. No ganhuo.
A: That's because he's trying to hide the fact that he hasn't done anything all year.
B: Damn, I can relate to that.

Have you noticed when you buy things measured by weight, they are often wet? Supermarkets know that covering things in water makes them heavier. When you go to an action movie, you often have to sit through a bunch of boring subplot because the director has to make a 90-minute movie out of a few good stunts. And sometimes you go to a comedy show, and the comedy doesn't start till after an hour’s worth of chit-chat about the weather by the host, because the comedian has to build a show out of three good gags.

This also happens to posts on the Internet. You click on something titled “The Real Secret to Becoming a Successful CEO,” only to read some oft-parroted advice such as “hard work pays off” or “do the right thing.” Those cliches are fillers injected to puff up the article to make it look more substantial. They are like the water that the supermarket shrimp are soaked in – there to rip you off!

Imagine a world without unnecessary fluff. That is what ganhuo is.

Literally meaning “dried goods,” ganhuo is the real deal – without the bells and whistles. It is what we all want in life, and from the Internet. Content that can be certified ganhuo is direct and to the point. It solves problems efficiently and leads you straight to the relevant information. There is no long intro and no padded credentials of whoever is offering the advice. Like a good friend, ganhuo doesn't waste your time beating around the bush. If you are doing something wrong, ganhuo advice will tell you, no sugar-coating.

So here’s a tip for navigating the Chinese Internet: Before you click on the next listicle, say “32 Ways to Win Friends and Be Popular,” or “10 Ways to Lose Weight Fast,” first go to the comment section. There, you’ll see if the article has been certified ganhuo. (Early readers will let you know in the comments, per Chinese Internet etiquette.) Don't waste your time reading if it’s not.