Generation Z Slang
Generation Z slang can be difficult to understand, particularly if you do not yourself belong to this generation. Below we have gathered a list of some of the most popular Generation Z slang, along with translations and example sentences, so that you can enter your next Generation Z conversation with confidence.1. Bet
Translation: Okay, for sure.
Origin: Evolved from the phrase "you bet," used to confirm or agree.
Example: "You wanna hit up that new café later?" "Bet, it's gonna be lit!"
2. Banger
Translation: Great song
Origin: Music slang for a hit song.
Example: This track is an absolute banger!
3. Big Yikes
Translation: Very embarassing or cringey.
Origin: Emphasis on "yikes" for stronger reaction.
Example: "Did you see his dance moves?" "Big yikes, that was rough."
4. Bruh
Translation: Bro or expression of disbelief
Origin: Variation of "bro."
Example: Bruh, are you serious right now?
5. Bussin'
Translation: Really good, especially food.
Origin: African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
Example: "This pizza is bussin'!" "Facts, it's so good."
6. Canceled
Translation: Socially rejected or boycotted
Origin: Social media call-out culture.
Example: He's canceled after those tweets.
7. Cap
Translation: Lie.
Origin: Opposite of "no cap," meaning falsehood.
Example: "You said you met Drake? That's cap!" "Nah, no cap, I got pics!"
8. Cheugy
Translation: Out of date, trying too hard.
Origin: Coined by Gen Z to describe outdated trends.
Example: "That outfit is so cheugy." "Yeah, it's giving major 2010 vibes."
9. Clap back
Translation: A sharp response to criticism
Origin: Social media culture term.
Example: Her clap back was legendary.
10. Clout Chaser
Translation: Someone seeking attention
Origin: Social media term for attention-seekers.
Example: She's just a clout chaser, ignore her.
11. Cringe
Translation: Embarrassing or awkward
Origin: Internet slang for uncomfortable situations.
Example: That joke was so cringe.
12. Dead
Translation: Extremely funny
Origin: Internet slang for laughing hard.
Example: I'm dead, that meme killed me!
13. Drip
Translation: Stylish, fashionable.
Origin: Refers to the "drip" of expensive clothing and accessories
Example: "Check out my new kicks!" "Yo, your drip is fire!"
14. Fam
Translation: Family, close friends.
Origin: Short for family, used to describe close-knit groups.
Example: "What's up, fam?" "Just chillin', you?"
15. Fire
Translation: Excellent or hot
Origin: Slang for something amazing.
Example: That outfit is straight fire!
16. Flex
Translation: Show off.
Origin: From bodybuilding, where "flexing" shows muscle.
Example: "Why you flexing your new ride?" "Just tryna stunt a bit."
17. Ghosting
Translation: Suddenly cutting off communication
Origin: From the idea of disappearing like a ghost.
Example: She ghosted me after our last chat, smh.
18. Glow up
Translation: Transformation, improvement.
Origin: From "grow up", but with a positive twist.
Example: "She had a major glow up over the summer." "Yeah, she's looking bomb!"
19. Guap
Translation: Money
Origin: Hip-hop slang continued by Gen Z.
Example: Gotta get that guap.
20. High-key
Translation: Very, openly.
Origin: Opposite of low-key, meaning obvious or intense.
Example: "I'm high-key obsessed with this show." "It's high-key the best!"
21. Hits Different
Translation: Has a unique impact
Origin: Social media phrase for special experiences.
Example: This song hits different at night.
22. It's Giving
Translation: It reminds me of or gives off vibes
Origin: TikTok slang for describing something's energy.
Example: That outfit is giving main character energy.
23. Living Rent Free
Translation: Constantly thinking about something
Origin: Internet slang for obsessive thoughts.
Example: That plot twist is living rent free in my head.
24. Low-key
Translation: Slightly, secretly
Origin: From music, meaning subdued or understated.
Example: "I'm low key excited for the weekend." "Same, it's gonna be chill."
25. Main Character
Translation: Someone who stands out, is the focus.
Origin: From storytelling, the protagonist.
Example: "She's got main character energy." "Totally, she's living her best life."
26. Mid
Translation: Average or mediocre
Origin: Short for "middle," meaning not impressive.
Example: That movie was mid, nothing special.
27. No Cap
Translation: No lie, for real.
Origin: Derived from "capping," which means lying.
Example: "I aced that test, no cap!" "Bruh, you really did? That's wild!"
28. NPC
Translation: Someone who lacks originality
Origin: Gaming term for "Non-Player Character."
Example: He's such an NPC, just follows the crowd.
29. OMG
Translation: Oh my God
Origin: Text speak from earlier generations.
Example: OMG, that's crazy!
30. Periodt
Translation: End of discussion
Origin: Emphasis on "period," popularized by AAVE.
Example: That's the best pizza in town, periodt.
31. POV
Translation: Point of view
Origin: TikTok trend format.
Example: POV: You just woke up late for school.
32. Rad
Translation: Cool or excellent
Origin: Retro slang revived by Gen Z.
Example: That's so rad!
33. Rizz
Translation: Charisma, charm.
Origin: Short for "charisma," popularized on social media.
Example: "He's got mad rizz." "No wonder he's always pulling."
34. Salty
Translation: Bitter or upset
Origin: Slang for being resentful.
Example: Why are you so salty about losing?
35. Savage
Translation: Bold or ruthless
Origin: Describes someone who is unapologetically blunt or fierce.
Example: She clapped back at the haters with a savage tweet.
36. Selfie
Translation: Self-portrait photo
Origin: Early 2000s, popularized by social media.
Example: Let me take a selfie real quick.
37. Sheesh
Translation: Expression of amazement
Origin: TikTok popularized exclamation.
Example: Sheesh! Did you see that dunk?
38. Shook
Translation: Shocked or surprised
Origin: Internet slang for being shaken.
Example: I'm shook by that ending!
39. Simp
Translation: Someone who does too much for someone they like.
Origin: Short for "simpleton," used to describe overly attentive behavior.
Example: "He's always buying her gifts, such a simp." "For real, he's whipped."
40. Sksksk
Translation: Expression of laughter
Origin: VSCO girl culture, keyboard smashing.
Example: Sksksk, I can't!
41. Slaps
Translation: Really good, especially music.
Origin: Likely from the sound of a beat that "slaps."
Example: "This new track slaps hard!" "Facts, it's a banger."
42. Snack
Translation: Attractive person
Origin: Slang for someone good-looking.
Example: He's a whole snack!
43. Stan
Translation: Super fan
Origin: From Eminem's song "Stan," about an obsessed fan.
Example: "I Stan BTS so hard." "Same, their new album is fire."
44. Sus
Translation: Suspicious, shady
Origin: Popularized by the game Among Us.
Example: "Why's he acting so sus lately?" "IDK, maybe he's hiding something."
45. Understood the Assignment
Translation: Did exceptionally well
Origin: Social media praise for excellence.
Example: She understood the assignment with that performance.
46. Vibe Check
Translation: Assessing someone's mood or energy.
Origin: Internet meme, checking if someone has good vibes.
Example: "Vibe check, you good?" "Yeah, just vibing."
47. Vibes
Translation: Atmosphere or feeling
Origin: Borrowed from earlier generations.
Example: The vibes here are immaculate.
48. W / L
Translation: Win / Loss
Origin: Gaming culture abbreviations.
Example: That's a big W for us!
49. Wazzup
Translation: What's up
Origin: Carried over from earlier generations.
Example: Wazzup, fam?
50. Yeet
Translation: Throw, express excitement
Origin: Viral internet meme, used for emphasis
Example: "Yeet that ball over here!" "Yeet, let's go!"
51. YOLO
Translation: You only live once
Origin: Popularized by Drake in 2011.
Example: YOLO, let's do it!