How to properly use an emoji has become an essential skill in modern online communications. The picture shows two people saying to each other: "I am expecting you to make a mistake." [Photo/Weibo]

How to use them?

1. "hey": This emoji carries a sense of self-mockery and humor. When you send it to others, you want to show off something or just grab the attention of others.

2. "facepalm": Different from "face with tears of joy", reputed as the "2015 Word of the Year" by the prestigious Oxford English Dictionary. "facepalm" tries to express that someone is tittering or cannot help laughing because of some very funny things.

3. "smirk": As the adopted version of the "funny" emoji, "smirk" usually means that you do not agree with someone but you have to say something and behave politely. Also, when you see some unlucky things happen to someone who is totally in the dark, you do nothing but wait and see, and can send the emoji at that moment.

4. "yeah": As a bright and happy emoji, "yeah" often passes positive energy to others. It means that you agree with someone or support others' views or plans, etc.

5. "smart": Be careful using this emoji in your online communications, because "smart" here represents that you pretend to be ostentatious. Also, it tries to incite a competition state between users like, "Come on, guys. Would you dare to challenge me? I am ready for your challenge."

6. "frown": When the user sends this emoji to others, it means that he is put in an inconvenient or embarrassing state. If we translate the emoji into a sentence, it should be "Are you kidding me?" Remember, do not send it to your boss or leader, or they will send a real frown expression to you.

7. "red envelope": I assume that the emoji expresses the most clear meaning of all. After all, money matters.

8. "tea": The emoji serves as a supplement to other drinks like "coffee"and "beer". There is humor like this: A wants to send "tea" to B at first but sent "beer" instead because there was no "tea" option in WeChat before. As a result, B thinks A is an alcoholic as he is. Then one day they have dinner and both of them are completely drunk. After the incident, A made a big mistake at work later and lost the job. Afterwards, A hesitates in using emojis.

9. "candle": The emoji itself has a dual nature. On one hand, people try to express their sadness and condolence to someone who is faced with manmade or natural disasters. On the other, it is frequently used in some entertaining occasions when something embarrassing happens to someone and other people will send a "candle" to mock those people.