鼠族

鼠族

shǔ zú

rat tribe

"Rat tribe" refers to a subgroup of low-paid migrant workers seeking opportunities in China's big cities. As their income can't afford them to rent houses, they usually make home at underground shelters and basements, which barely are wider than a bed in spaces.

Example: Beijing is looking to dig out its so-called "rat tribe" - the large population of mainly migrant workers that lives in cramped conditions deep underground.