Gen Z kids these days have a totally different vocabulary than us "old" folks. So let's break down 23 common Gen Z terms into words we actually recognize. No cap.
Do you know a Gen Zer or have a Gen Z kid? I do in my family.
It's just crazy listening to Gen Zers talk to each other.
My 15-year-old nephew, a true Gen Z kid, has a completely different vocabulary with his friends than with me.
That's called code-switching, when you speak differently depending on what people you're talking with.
I don't understand everything my nephew says, so when I saw this sketch on Saturday Night Live the other night, I had to laugh.
I also tried out some of the new (to me) vocabulary on him, but I did it all wrong. How cringe. 😆
What slang in the video did you know already? And what do these Gen Z slang words actually mean?
Here are all the new Gen Z slang words I could catch.
Let's break them down.
Bestie - best friend
Bruh - brother, bro
On read - A message you sent that you can see the other person has been read but hasn't responded to it yet
Say less - Understood, no need to say more
Big yikes - Wow
Hellcat - Dodge Challenger Hellcat sportscar
Deadass - seriously
A real one - that person in your life who is always honest with you
Cuh - Cousin, friend, bro
The gram - Instagram
Major L - a big setback or loss
To cap - to lie
To hit different - to feel different or to stand out
Catch hands - about start a fight, a punch is about to be thrown
On gang - to tell the truth, akin to saying "I swear to God" or "on my honor"
To stan someone - a super fan of someone famous
Flaw - an action or word that's morally wrong
Iconic - a cool sense of style
Cringe - not cool, embarrassing or disgusting
Vibes - the feeling someone gives off, their emotional state
The feels - an overwhelming emotional reaction
To pull up - to hang out
Sus - suspicious
Jackie Donaldson is a language teacher and pronunciation specialist at Amidon Studios. She founded Amidon Studios in 2017 after managing a language institute in Lima, Peru. She's taught English and Spanish to students from all over the world while living in Peru, Mexico, and the U.S. When she's not working or studying, you'll find her gardening, playing with her cat Frankie, swimming, and exploring the globe.