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Gen Z Slang Translator for Parents to Vibe with Teens (and Coworkers)
Bruh... if it feels like your tweens and teens speak a different language, it's time to brush up on your gen z slang. Trust us, you're not alone: When we asked readers and fellow parents to share which teen slang words and phrases baffle them, we seemed to have hit a nerve. Moms and dads across the country bombarded us with gen z slang words and terms they just don't understand, from "bet" and "bussin'" to "drip" and "no cap."
And, NGL: Texting your teen can get you even more shook, FR. Mind-boggling acronyms have made deciphering teens' text messages similar to solving a puzzle, TBH. IYKYK.
We're here to help with our list of 50 common gen z slang words and text acronyms to help you understand your teens. Once you've mastered the lingo, score even more cool points with our teen and tween gift guide and our list of over 100 ideas for college care packages. Will your teens appreciate it? Bet!
Gen Z Slang Words for Parents to Understand Their Teens
1. Bruh
Meaning: A form of "bro", "bruh" is commonly used to address a friend, family member, or stranger. It's also used to express disbelief, disgust, amazement, or shock.
Examples: "What's up, bruh?" or, Teen 1: "Check out my new Jordans." Teen 2: "Bruh!"
2. Bet
Meaning: "yes" or "OK"
Example: Teen 1: "Wanna come over?" Teen 2: "Bet."
3. Slay
Meaning: to do something really well
Example: "Slay!" (when your friend walks into the room wearing a nice outfit)
4. No Cap
Meaning: "No lie," or, "I'm being totally honest."
Example: "That was the best burger I've ever had, no cap."
5. Bussin'
Meaning: extremely good
Example: "That burger was bussin'."
6. Simp
Meaning: can be used as a noun or verb, meaning "someone who has a crush on someone" or "to have a crush on someone"
Examples: "He keeps staring at you. He's such a simp," or, "He's totally simping right now."
7. Mid
Meaning: mediocre or average
Example: "That movie was so mid. I don't see what the big deal is."
8. Drip
Meaning: nice style
Example: "Did you see her outfit today? She's got the drip."
RELATED: Tons of Totally Terrific Tongue Twisters for Kids, Tweens, and Teens
Do you have rizz? Your teen will likely say no.
9. Rizz
Meaning: short for "charisma", meaning "charm" or "game"
Example: "I can't get her to notice me. I have no rizz."
10. Stan
Meaning: a combination of "stalker" and "fan" that can be used as a noun or verb, meaning "someone who is obsessed with someone/something" or "to be obsessed with someone/something"
Examples: "She's such a stan for T. Swift," or, "She stans T. Swift."
11. Sus
Meaning: short for "suspicious"
Example: "We have a math test and he's home sick. That's sus, bruh."
12. Fire
Meaning: really good, impressive
Example: "That song is fire."
13. Glaze
Meaning: a TikTok term meaning "to over-compliment or suck up to someone"
Example: Teen 1: "OMG your videos are bussin' and your shirt is fire and I love your hair." Teen 2: "Bruh, chill with the glazing."
14. Ate and left no crumbs
Meaning: performed better than anyone else; dominated
Example: "The team ate and left no crumbs at the homecoming game."
15. Facts
Meaning: "I agree."
Example: Teen 1: "This song is fire." Teen 2: "Facts."
16. It's not that deep.
Meaning: "Don't worry about it," or, "Chill out."
Example: "Bruh, who cares if you weren't invited. It's not that deep."
17. Vibe
Meaning: energy, feeling, or mood
Example: "I got a weird vibe from her."
18. It's giving.
Meaning: giving off a certain vibe
Examples: "That dress is giving vintage."
RELATED: Best Teen Skincare and Pimple Patches Kids Are Obsessed With—From a Teen!
Brush up on your gen z slang so your kids won't think you're cringe.
19. Cringe
Meaning: extremely embarrassing or awkward
Example: "He won't stop texting me. It's so cringe!"
20. Low-key
Meaning: refers to a feeling that one wants to keep on the down-low
Example: "I was low-key excited for the new Disney movie."
21. On God
Meaning: "I'm telling the truth."
Example: "I did not sleep at all last night, on God."
22. Slaps
Meaning: is really good
Example: "This song slaps so hard, I can't stop listening to it."
23. Touch Grass
Meaning: to go outside
Example: "All he does is play Fortnite all day. He needs to touch grass."
24. Finna
Meaning: short for "fixing to", meaning "going to"
Example: "I'm finna go to the mall."
RELATED: Gift Guide to the Best Gifts for Teens & Tweens
Beware: if you overdo it with the gen z slang, your teen will think you're extra.
25. Extra
Meaning: over-the-top, excessive, or dramatic in behavior or appearance
Example: "My little sister won't stop singing. She's so extra."
26. Basic
Meaning: unoriginal; mainstream
Example: "I don 't listen to her top hits. They're so basic. I like the more obscure stuff."
27. Selling/Sold
Meaning: messing/messed up in a big moment
Examples: "He's totally selling," or "He sold" (after someone strikes out in a baseball game).
28. Yeet
Meaning: to throw an item really hard
Examples: "Sam just yeeted my water bottle across the room," or, "YEET!" (said by Sam as he throws the water bottle).
29. Cheugy
Meaning: not trendy
Example: "Mom, take off those skinny jeans! They're so cheugy!"
30. Hits different
Meaning: is much better than usual
Example: "I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning, so this school lunch hits different."
RELATED: 111 Ideas for College Care Packages
Do we all want to understand our teens better? Yasssss!
31. Yas
Meaning: a very enthusiastic "yes"
Example: Teen 1: "Do you like Tyler?" Teen 2: "OMG, yassss!"
32. Shook
Meaning: shocked or surprised
Example: "I saw Mr. Jones in the mall with his girlfriend. I'm shook."
33. Salty
Meaning: upset over something small
Example: "I told her I didn't want to play Roblox. She was so salty about it."
34. Glow Up
Meaning: a physical, mental, and/or emotional makeover or transformation for the better
Example: "Did you see Emma? She had a real glow up over the summer."
35. Sheesh
Meaning: an exclamation used when someone is really impressed by something
Example: "Sheesh!" (when a nice sports car zooms by)
More Gen Z Slang: Teen Text Acronyms, Decoded
36. W and L
Short for: "win" and "loss"
Examples: W burger (when texting a photo of a juicy burger), or, Teen 1: I have a chemistry test today. Teen 2: L
37. FR
Short for: for real
Example: She likes you, FR.
38. NGL
Short for: not gonna lie
Example: This group chat is annoying, NGL.
39. IRL
Short for: in real life
Example: I love her YouTube so much. I'm dying to meet her IRL.
40. TBH
Short for: to be honest
Example: I really don't feel like going out tonight, TBH.
41. TFW
Short for: that feeling when
Example: TFW you have a three-day weekend
42. GTG/G2G
Short for: got to go
Example: GTG, my mom is calling me for dinner.
43. WYD
Short for: What're you doing?
Example: WYD? I'm bored.
44. NP
Short for: No problem.
Example: Teen 1: Thanks for helping me with the math homework. Teen 2: NP
Stay in the know of the latest teen texting acronyms.
45. IYKYK
Short for: If you know, you know. (used to reference an inside joke, often in a group chat)
Example: Nate was hilarious the other night. IYKYK.
46. RN
Short for: right now
Example: I'm so tired RN.
47. IKR
Short for: I know, right?
Example: Teen 1: I can't believe the weekend is already over. Teen 2: IKR
48. LMK
Short for: let me know
Example: LMK when you can call.
49. OFC
Short for: of course
Example: Teen 1: You going to the football game? Teen 2: OFC
50. V
Short for: very
Example: I'm V tired right now.
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