When it comes to Grey’s Anatomy, fans are blessed with a wide selection of admirable characters. From talented surgeons to organized scrub nurses, it’s clear that Grey Sloan wouldn’t be able to survive without these people working in the background. Plus, it could be argued that the characters make the medical drama a hit because fans are compelled to focus on their personal dramas and struggle more than the medical cases.
It would be wrong to discuss Grey’s Anatomy characters without mentioning the iconic Cristina Yang. Complete with a smart mouth and a strong will; Yang entertained fans with her fiery attitude. As such, some of her best lines have gone on to become inspirational quotes and hilarious memes.
10.Yang Doesn’t Sugarcoat Anything
Season 2, Episode 19, “What Have I Done to Deserve This”
There’s no denying that every intern who has ever walked into Grey Sloan is in desperate need of guidance and life advice. George O’Malley is no different and often wallows in self-pity rather than doing things to help him. As fans can imagine, O’Malley’s attitude can get boring very quickly, and Cristina Yang wasn’t afraid to put him in his place.
If you want crappy things to stop happening to you, then stop accepting crap and demand something more.
In “What Have I Done to Deserve This,” George O’Malley falls down a flight of stairs and dislocates his shoulder. Thus, he spends the majority of this episode in a foul mood and pouting over the fact that Meredith doesn’t want the rest of the team to know that she had sex with him. So, in her typical fashion, Cristina pulls him aside and reminds him that if he wants to succeed in this life, he has to stand up for himself every once in a while.
9.She Never Fails to Express Her Love for Meredith
Season 3, Episode 16, “Drowning on Dry Land”
Friendships in Grey’s Anatomy are always as little complicated as there’s always something life-changing lurking around the corner. Yet, despite all their issues and trauma, Meredith and Cristina manage to stay the best of friends (most of the time, anyway). Thus, their friendship is an integral part of what makes the show so popular because no matter what goes on in their lives, the surgeons will always have each other as a family.
If I murdered someone, she’s the person I’d call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor. She’s my person.
After nearly drowning to death in “Drowning on Dry Land,” Cristina takes the time to explain how much Meredith means to her, even if the relationship isn’t always reciprocated. This is quite a touching moment for fans, as Cristina rarely wears her heart on her sleeve. Therefore, this line has become famous for its links to sisterly friendships and lifelong bonds.
8.Cristina Dishes Out the Truth to Meredith
Season 4, Episode 6, “Kung Fu Fighting”
Meredith’s drowning episode undoubtedly caused a lot of trauma and forced her to realize that all her worries were truly insignificant. Instead of using this as an opportunity to change and live her life to the max, she ponders on the true meaning of life. Of course, Yang is having none of it and reminds her that she actually needs to do something if she wants to see change in her life.
Being aware of your crap and actually overcoming your crap are two very different things.
Again, this is a prime example of why Cristina is such a good friend to Meredith. While people like Derek and Bailey often give her too many chances and too much credit, Yang reminds her that she’s human like the rest of us. As such, Yang works to bring Grey and the audience back to reality where they belong.
7.Yang Never Fails to Put Her Work First
Season 10, Episode 10, “Somebody That I Used To Know”
After splitting up with Owen Hunt, Cristina’s love life experienced a bit of a dry spell. Thus, she believes that her lack of sex is causing her performance to drop at work. But, being the true professional she is, Yang is keen to shack up with Shane as quickly as she can so that she can get on with her duties.
I’m glad he’s getting laid. I should be getting laid. My work suffers when I’m not. It’s bad for humanity.
In “Somebody That I Used To Know,” Yang tries to open up about her sex life with Alex, who quickly tries to shut the conversation down. But she’s determined to express her feelings and isn’t afraid of her co-workers judge her. Therefore, it seems that Yang isn’t worried about what others think of her and is just keen on getting her sex life back on track.
6.She Reminds Meredith About How Lucky She Is
Season 7, Episode 14, “Pretty Young Thing”
As the daughter of the formidable Ellis Grey, it’s clear that Meredith doesn’t have to worry about making her mark on Seattle Grace. While she spends most of her time worrying about her latest achievement, Yang is always there to remind her that the world doesn’t revolve around her. As such, fans appreciate how Yang doesn’t allow Meredith to run away with her worries and quickly shows her that many of her anxieties are not real problems.
If you continue to whine about how you can’t decide which groundbreaking medical advancement to put your name on, I’ll punch you in the ear.
Not only does this line explore the nuances of Meredith and Cristina’s friendship, but it also highlights Sandra Oh’s natural sense of humor. Thus, this proves that Grey’s Anatomy is more than just a medical drama; it’s an amalgamation of genres. As such, even in its darkest moments, Yang manages to add a sprinkle of comic relief to the show.
5.Nothing Is Secret Between These Best Friends
Season 10, Episode 5, “I Bet It Stung”
Meredith and Cristina quickly grew from colleagues to friends, showcasing how working at Seattle Grace brought them closer together. As such, the pair feel as if they can be completely honest with each other, even when making comments about each other’s boobs. This line is short and sweet but truly expresses what makes Cristina Yang so witty and vibrant.
Mer, your boobs are exploding. Go pump.
This line sits at the halfway point on this list because it’s a great example of how the medical drama uses humor to break up the tension. In this scene from “I Bet It Stung,” the women are having a heart-to-heart, but Yang can’t help but notice the growing size of Meredith’s chest. Thus, it seems that their chat will have to wait until Grey finishes breastfeeding.
4.She Always Remains Somewhat Optimistic
Season 8, Episode 24, “Flight”
“Flight” is a monumentally tense episode, and the audience is led to believe that these doctors will never see the light of day again. While Meredith is panicking about Derek and how they will ever manage to get out of this situation, Yang is already thinking about the future. This is an exceptionally funny line because it shows that Yang automatically assumes that everything will be okay and that she’ll be back to complaining about work again in no time.
As soon as we get out of here, I’m getting the hell away from Seattle Grace Mercy Death!
It’s important for fans to realize that the doctors are stuck in a remote location with very few medical supplies, so the chances of them coming home unscathed are pretty thin. But, once again, Yang works to lighten the mood for both her peers and the audience. Plus, the fact that she calls the hospital “Seattle Grace Mercy Death” suggests that she sees the hospital as a bad omen, and many fans would agree.
3.She Isn’t Afraid to Take Jackson Down
Season 7, Episode 13, “Don’t Deceive Me”
In “Don’t Deceive Me”, Jackson accuses Cristina of trying to suck up to Teddy. As these tensions continue to climb, Cristina reminds Jackson that she isn’t the type of woman to play games and that her work is just up to standard. Though Yang is always able to stand her ground, this line shows that she isn’t always willing to stoop down to someone else’s level.
Believe it or not, not everything I do is about competition.
This is a very simple line, but it does a fantastic job of giving the audience a glimpse into her true character. Yang is often seen as quite bitter, a trait that often gives her a strong sense of humor. But in this scene, she subtly reminds Jackson not to test her and just wants to get on with her work as usual.
2.Cristina Is the Epitome of Self-Confidence
Season 2, Episode 8, “Let It Be”
Although many fans cringe at the thought of Yang and Burke being together, they cannot deny that it was a substantial plotline in Season 2. Even though their relationship barely made it out of the OR, Yang was still determined to make herself look good for her date. While others may act modest in this situation, Yang is loud and proud of her figure.
I can do hot in my sleep. I look hot in scrubs. I’m a hot person.
The earlier seasons of Grey’s Anatomy were keen to show these interns as fun-loving and vivacious, and Yang certainly proves this with this line. Though she’s an experienced surgeon with a lot on her plate, she never fails to make time for herself. As such, fans often see her as a perfect reflection of a work-life balance.
1.Yang Doesn’t Respond Well to the Cold
Season 9, Episode 5, “Beautiful Doom”
Many fans believe that Cristina’s relationship with Darren Parker was very sweet, but a scene in “Beautiful Doom” shows that she isn’t too keen on romance. During a snowy night in Rochester, Parker tries to cuddle closer to Yang in order to help her stay warm. Yet, Cristina doesn’t really appreciate his sentiment and threatens to stab him in the eye.
I’m not a spoon. I’m a knife, and I’m going to stab you in the eyeball.
This quote holds the top spot on this list because it’s quite relatable. There’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable and stressed, and Darren doesn’t seem to understand that a cuddle won’t help Yang battle the freezing temperatures. Thus, her distaste towards spooning just highlights Yang’s blunt attitude towards absolutely everything.
