'逼格' (bī gé) is internet slang that humorously critiques exaggerated pretentiousness—especially in aesthetics, lifestyle choices, or intellectual posturing. Though the character 逼 literally means 'to force' or is a vulgar slang term for 'vagina', and 格 means 'style', 'manner', or 'standard', the compound doesn’t derive meaning from literal character definitions. Instead, it’s a playful, ironic borrowing from English 'B-grade' or possibly a phonetic pun on 'bi ge' sounding like 'B-grade', later reinterpreted as 'high-grade' irony. It describes something deliberately trying—and often failing—to appear sophisticated, avant-garde, or culturally elite.

The term is widely used online and among young urban Chinese to gently mock overly earnest design, obscure art references, or inflated self-presentation (e.g., using obscure fonts, minimalist black-and-white photos, or name-dropping niche philosophers). It carries a light, teasing tone—not harsh condemnation but amused skepticism toward performative taste.