Across Cultures
How emojis are read and used in Taiwan.
Common on Instagram and Twitter for emotional reactions to dramas, music, and daily life. Younger Taiwanese users blend sincere and ironic usage fluidly.
Common on PTT and Instagram to signal hype around entertainment, food culture, and trending content. Used similarly to Western Gen Z contexts.
Used in food content related to Taiwanese cuisine where eggplant is a staple. The Western innuendo is understood but the vegetable meaning competes more evenly here than in Western markets.
Used similarly to mainland China and Japan — signals watching or observation, often in the context of following celebrity or political drama closely.
Young Taiwanese users on PTT, Instagram, and TikTok adopt the humorous 'dead from laughter' usage. Traditional associations with death mean older generations still view it with caution.
Used similarly to Japan and Korea; common in aesthetic posts, fan content, and everyday celebratory messaging.
Used similarly to South Korea — the English internet meaning is well understood among young, digitally connected users. Also appears in political commentary to flag concerning government actions.
Widely understood and used on Instagram and LINE; often doubled or tripled for emphasis, consistent with the East Asian convention of repeating emoji for intensity.
Similar to China — the zodiac sheep/goat connection adds a layer of positivity. The English GOAT acronym circulates freely among Taiwanese youth on platforms like Dcard and Instagram.
Used in a similar kawaii-influenced context as Japan and South Korea. Common in LINE and Instagram communications among youth to express vulnerability or make cute emotional appeals.
Tech-forward culture means the rocket appears in startup and innovation contexts frequently; also used by fans celebrating Taiwanese artists charting internationally.
Used similarly to broader East Asian usage — signals silliness and foolishness. Popular in political commentary online to mock politicians or controversial public statements.
Used in beauty and self-care contexts; younger users on Instagram and TikTok adopt the Western sassy interpretation especially in fandom and pop culture discourse.
Used by Taiwanese youth on PTT and social media in meme contexts; also appears in travel and cultural discussion threads about world heritage sites.
In Taiwan, it may appear in discussions about international recognition and self-determination, drawing parallels to Taiwan's own geopolitical situation; however, its use is limited to politically engaged circles.
Used with strong empathy, as Taiwanese users often draw parallels between Ukraine's situation and Taiwan's own geopolitical concerns with China.
Commonly used to express admiration for food, night market content, and celebrity culture; carries a bubbly, positive connotation in everyday digital conversation.
Used enthusiastically in entertainment fan communities and for celebrity admiration, particularly around Mandopop and K-pop artists popular on the island.
Primarily seen as a sweet summer fruit. Online communities connected to Western social media are aware of the alternative meaning.
Frequently used on LINE and Instagram to express love and friendship; part of the broader East Asian heart emoji culture where hearts carry strong positive emotional valence.
Often posted alongside the Taiwanese flag in political solidarity contexts referencing US-Taiwan relations; viewed favorably given US support for Taiwan.
Similar to Japan and South Korea, the sweat-drop-as-embarrassment meaning from anime culture is strong; increasingly the dual sexual meaning is adopted by youth.
Used among Taiwanese youth on Dcard and Instagram to express overwhelm at cute content, stressful exam seasons, or absurd political moments.
Used on PTT and Instagram to express emotional resonance with content, particularly nostalgic media, heartfelt public figures, and local community stories. Carries a gentle, sincere emotional register.
Used similarly to South Korea — a perfection marker in food, fashion, and entertainment commentary among digitally active youth.
Common in LINE and Instagram usage — tends to be used sincerely to signal contemplation but also appears in meme culture for ironic 'deep thoughts.'
Used frequently in LINE and Instagram to express flustered admiration or embarrassed surprise. Often paired with other expressive emojis in a bubbly, enthusiastic texting style.
Adopted in Taiwanese youth internet culture with similar ironic undertones, particularly on Twitter and in cross-cultural fandom spaces.
Used similarly to global Gen Z contexts in ironic humor and gaming. Taiwanese youth internet culture readily adopts international emoji trends.
Used similarly to South Korea — common in fan communities and among younger social media users as a warm, expressive gesture.