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History of Chinese Writing
— a series of articles on the history of writing in China
A Beijing-Style Joke
— learning trendy Chinese expressions used in informal settings and everyday communication on social media

“IQ Tax” in Chinese

“IQ tax” in Chinese: continuing the series on new Chinese words. Issue 22

«智商税» (zhishang shui) — «IQ tax», or the price of gullibility

This expression, which appeared around 2013, became a universal label for situations in which someone pays money because of a lack of critical thinking — whether buying a useless product or falling for an outright scam. Literally: 智商 (zhìshāng — «intelligence quotient») + 税 (shuì — «tax») = «a fee for stupidity». By 2025, the term had not only remained relevant but broadened its application, prompting debates about the boundary between deception and subjective value.

Meaning and evolution

  • The classic definition:
    Criticism of irrational spending based on misconceptions or trust in false promises.
    Example: Buying «nanosilicon» to speed up a phone or «miracle pills» for weight loss.
  • Contemporary debates:
    • Emotional value versus rationality: Buying an expensive limited edition (for example, a metal book spike) may be an act of self-expression rather than a «tax on stupidity».
    • Different needs: Someone may see buying designer ice for 100 yuan as a lifestyle accessory rather than deception.

Usage examples

  1. In consumer reviews:
    — 「花500块买防辐射贴纸？纯纯智商税！」
    «Huā 500 kuài mǎi fáng fúshè tiēzhǐ? Chún chún zhìshāng shuì!»
    — «500 yuan for an anti-radiation sticker? Pure stupidity tax!»

  2. In news headlines (2025):
    — 「北京消协点名“名校湖水”：智商税的新变种」
    «Běijīng Xiāoxié diǎnmíng “míngxiào hú shuǐ”: Zhìshāng shuì de xīn biànzhǒng»
    — «The Beijing Consumer Association called “water from an elite university’s lake” a new form of deception».

  3. In everyday arguments:
    — A: 「这个水晶能平衡能量场！」
    «Zhège shuǐjīng néng pínghéng néngliàng chǎng!»
    — «This crystal balances your energy field!»
    B: 「别交智商税了，科学证明不了」
    «Bié jiāo zhìshāng shuì le, kēxué zhèngmíng bù liǎo»
    — «Stop paying stupidity tax — science doesn’t support that».

Why does it remain relevant?

  1. New forms of deception:
    • Online scams: Fake QR codes on WeChat, «guaranteed» NFT investments.
    • Pseudoscientific products: «Smart» bracelets that change DNA or «bio-mattresses» against 5G.
  2. Social psychology:
    • Fear of missing out (FOMO) encourages purchases of «unique» items.
    • The desire to belong to a group («everyone bought it, so I must too»).

Why should learners of Chinese know this?

— Critical consumption: Understanding the term will help identify scams on the Chinese internet.
— The cultural code: Debates over «智商税» reflect growing skepticism among Chinese consumers.
— Using it in conversation:

  • Warn a friend: 「小心，这可能是个智商税」 (Xiǎoxīn, zhè kěnéng shì gè zhìshāng shuì — «Careful, this might be a scam»).
  • Make fun of yourself: 「我又交智商税了，买了个根本没用的东西」 (Wǒ yòu jiāo zhìshāng shuì le, mǎi le gè gēnběn méi yòng de dōngxi — «I paid stupidity tax again and bought something useless»).

Conclusion: «智商税» is a mirror of consumer society, where some see deception and others a justified expense. Like the Russian «taking the bait», but focusing primarily on marketing tricks. Remember: if an offer seems too good to be true, someone with a fishing rod may be trying to collect that very «tax» from you. 🧠💸

P.S. In 2025, Chinese lawyers use the term in lawsuits against fraudsters, giving it legal as well as everyday significance.

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