If you've ever been around your Gen Z nieces, nephews, or younger cousins (aka "niblings") and felt like they were speaking an entirely different language, you're not alone. One minute, they’re saying something is “lit,” and the next, they’re “shook” because they just heard some “tea.” If you nodded along, pretending you understood, don’t worry, we've got you. To help you decode their vocabulary and maybe even impress them a little, here are 12 Gen Z slang terms you need to know.
Lit
Photo by Skye Studios on UnsplashIf something is “lit,” it means it’s amazing, fun, or exciting. A concert, a party, or even a really good meal can all be lit. The term originally referred to being intoxicated, but today, it’s mostly about hyping up an experience. Example: “That concert last night was lit!”
No Cap
Photo by Yang Deng on Unsplash“No cap” is Gen Z’s way of saying “no lie” or “for real.” It’s used to emphasize that someone is telling the truth. The opposite of this is just “cap,” which means to lie or exaggerate. Example: “I swear, this is the best pizza I’ve ever had—no cap.”
Slay
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash“Slay” is all about absolutely killing it—but in a good way. Whether it’s an outfit, a performance, or just the way someone carries themselves, if they “slay,” they’re doing it flawlessly. Example: “You slayed that!”
Shook
Photo by Etty Fidele on UnsplashBeing “shook” means you’re so shocked or surprised by something that you don’t know how to react. It can be used for everything from plot twists in TV shows to real-life drama. Example: “I just found out my favorite celebrity got married, and I’m shook.”
Yeet
Photo by Vinicius Wiesehofer on Unsplash“Yeet” started as a term for throwing something with force but evolved into an exclamation for excitement or enthusiasm. You can yeet a ball across a field, or you can yeet yourself into bed after a long day.
Simp
Photo by Norbert Braun on UnsplashA “simp” is someone who goes above and beyond for someone they’re attracted to, often to the point of being overly submissive or doing too much. It’s mostly used as a joke, but sometimes it can be used to call someone out. Example: “He bought her flowers, wrote her a poem, and carried her books to class? Bro is simping hard.”
Sus
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
Short for “suspicious,” “sus” is used when something or someone seems sketchy or not quite right. It became especially popular thanks to the game Among Us, where players had to figure out who was acting shady. Example: “You suddenly wanna be nice to me? That’s sus.”
Tea
Photo by Luke Oslizlo on Unsplash“Tea” is just another word for gossip or juicy information. If someone asks for the “tea,” they want the latest drama. If someone is “spilling the tea,” they’re sharing all the details. Example: “Tell me why Jessica and Kyle broke up, I need all the tea!”
W
Photo by Danny Howe on UnsplashShort and simple, “W” just means a win or success. You can say someone “took an L” (loss) if things didn’t go well, but if they “got the W,” they won in life. Example: “You got promoted? That’s a W for sure!”
Dank
Photo by Luke Peterson on UnsplashOriginally tied to cannabis culture, “dank” has evolved to just mean cool, high-quality, or funny. It’s often used to describe memes, but it can apply to other things too. Example: “That was a dank burger. I need another one.”
Glow-Up
Photo by Candice Picard on UnsplashA “glow-up” is a transformation for the better, usually in terms of looks, confidence, or success. It’s like the “before and after” of self-improvement. Example: “She used to be so shy in high school, but now she’s super confident. The glow-up is real.”
Periodt
Photo by Sigmund on UnsplashUsed to emphasize a statement, “periodt” is like slamming the door on a conversation—there’s no debate. It’s an exaggerated way to say “and that’s final." Example: “Pineapple does NOT belong on pizza, periodt.”
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