<p>Well, while I was researching the question I may have found the answer. </p>

<p>Pleco says its <strong>菜鸟</strong>, as well as the Chinese version of Newbie on <a href="https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8F%9C%E9%B3%A5" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a>. </p>

<p>One of the other interpretations in Pleco is <strong>idiot</strong> which may be too harsh，and another is <strong>beginner</strong> which is neutral and descriptive. But one of the definitions is indeed <strong>newbie</strong>.</p>

<p>I'm pretty much sure the answer would be <strong>菜鸟</strong>, but what the heck, let's post anyway and see if something better comes up.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-09T21:07:42.303Z
Instead of just claiming that this word is what it is, try citing some sources or examples to back up what you're saying. Don't just make claims, explain why you believe your answer is correct. Some say the word originates from [the NBA term](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8F%9C%E9%B3%A5) for a rookie player, while others claim it's a misread of 笨鸟.
Krazer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-10T03:11:50.333Z
newbie != 牛逼，don't be fooled by the similar pronunciation. :)
thinwa
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-11T01:16:53.960Z
@Krazer, Not my "claims" at all, as I indicated exactly where I obtained the information.

By the way, no mentioning about the term originating from NBA in the link you posted (which is actually the Wikipedia page I mentioned). Perhaps you used the wrong link?

I added a link myself though. Thanks.
Yoav Vollansky
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-09T19:41:44.687Z
2015-11-11T01:20:04.903Z
2015-11-11T01:20:04.903Z
Yoav Vollansky
<p><strong>小白</strong> is also a possible translation of <strong>newbie</strong>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-10T21:25:53.483Z
2015-11-10T21:25:53.483Z
Fan Zheng
<p>新手，菜鸟, 新人。</p>

<p>It can be used to express newcomer, beginner.</p>

<p>Cheers</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-10T08:35:41.400Z
2015-11-10T08:35:41.400Z
mollan.m
<p>新手
(新=new)(手=hand)</p>

<p>If you're new to a subject there will often be a 新手指南.  You can see this all over: for example in the Chinese language Weibo developer documentation there is a section titled 新手指南。 A 指南 is a "user guide" or "guide book".<br>
(指= to point)(南= although it means south, it is used in the word for compass)  I have seen 新手 used perhaps 50 or 60 times to communicate essentially the same meaning as a noob or newbie.  新手, however, is not slang.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-10T03:27:53.600Z
In fact, the usage of character 手 in the word is quite interesting in Chinese. As you mentioned, 手 means _hand_ in Chinese, there is not any meaning reference the ability of someone for the character. But there are two words which contains to 手 to describe one's ability. 高手 and 新手, 高手 is a very popular word to describe someone has expertise in some fields.
thinwa
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-10T03:39:53.740Z
指南 comes from 指南针(compass) or 指南车, it's ancient equipment to guide people who is traveling in a strange place. Because the feature of _guide_, it is borrowed to stands for guide book/tutorial for beginners.
thinwa
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-11T19:13:52.133Z
An interesting anacdote: I happened to be sitting in a taxi today when suddenly noticed that the car in front of us had a sign hanging on its back windshield saying "女新手”.
Yoav Vollansky
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-10T00:20:28.660Z
2015-11-10T00:20:28.660Z
WebDev-SysAdmin
<p>What would be the most accurate term for <strong>newbie</strong> or <strong>noob</strong>, namely one that also conveys a dash of sarcasm and a bit of a condescending tone? I guess it should also be slang. </p>

<p><strong>新来的</strong> or <strong>新手</strong> are pretty neutral, <strong>外行</strong> simply means <strong>layman</strong>. </p>

<translation><slang>
How to say "newbie" or "noob" in Chinese?
# How to say "newbie" or "noob" in Chinese?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-11-09)

What would be the most accurate term for **newbie** or **noob**, namely one that also conveys a dash of sarcasm and a bit of a condescending tone? I guess it should also be slang.

**新来的** or **新手** are pretty neutral, **外行** simply means **layman**.

**Tags:** translation, slang


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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2015-11-09. Score: 4

Well, while I was researching the question I may have found the answer.

Pleco says its **菜鸟**, as well as the Chinese version of Newbie on [Wikipedia](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8F%9C%E9%B3%A5).

One of the other interpretations in Pleco is **idiot** which may be too harsh，and another is **beginner** which is neutral and descriptive. But one of the definitions is indeed **newbie**.

I'm pretty much sure the answer would be **菜鸟**, but what the heck, let's post anyway and see if something better comes up.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Instead of just claiming that this word is what it is, try citing some sources or examples to back up what you're saying. Don't just make claims, explain why you believe your answer is correct. Some say the word originates from [the NBA term](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8F%9C%E9%B3%A5) for a rookie player, while others claim it's a misread of 笨鸟.  
> **username_2**: newbie != 牛逼，don't be fooled by the similar pronunciation. :)  
> **username_0**: @username_1, Not my "claims" at all, as I indicated exactly where I obtained the information.  By the way, no mentioning about the term originating from NBA in the link you posted (which is actually the Wikipedia page I mentioned). Perhaps you used the wrong link?  I added a link myself though. Thanks.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-11-10. Score: 3

**小白** is also a possible translation of **newbie**.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2015-11-10. Score: 2

新手，菜鸟, 新人。

It can be used to express newcomer, beginner.

Cheers


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### Answer by username_5 on 2015-11-10. Score: 2

新手
(新=new)(手=hand)

If you're new to a subject there will often be a 新手指南. You can see this all over: for example in the Chinese language Weibo developer documentation there is a section titled 新手指南。 A 指南 is a "user guide" or "guide book".  
(指= to point)(南= although it means south, it is used in the word for compass) I have seen 新手 used perhaps 50 or 60 times to communicate essentially the same meaning as a noob or newbie. 新手, however, is not slang.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: In fact, the usage of character 手 in the word is quite interesting in Chinese. As you mentioned, 手 means _hand_ in Chinese, there is not any meaning reference the ability of someone for the character. But there are two words which contains to 手 to describe one's ability. 高手 and 新手, 高手 is a very popular word to describe someone has expertise in some fields.  
> **username_2**: 指南 comes from 指南针(compass) or 指南车, it's ancient equipment to guide people who is traveling in a strange place. Because the feature of _guide_, it is borrowed to stands for guide book/tutorial for beginners.  
> **username_0**: An interesting anacdote: I happened to be sitting in a taxi today when suddenly noticed that the car in front of us had a sign hanging on its back windshield saying "女新手”.  

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