Are you finding it hard to keep up with the language that Gen Z is using nowadays? If you’re not familiar with the lingo, you might feel like you’re speaking a foreign language. But fear not, we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 Gen Z slangs you need to know in 2023 to help you keep up with the younger generation.
Here are 25 popular Gen Z slangs you should know in 2023.
Lit – If something is lit, it means it’s really cool and exciting. For example, “That party last night was so lit!”
Flex – To flex means to show off or brag about something. For example, “She’s always flexing her new designer clothes.”
Gucci – This slang term means that something is good or okay. For example, “Everything’s Gucci, no worries!”
No cap – Used to mean “no lie” or “for real”. For example, “No cap, that was the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
Mood – This term is used to express agreement with something or to describe how you’re feeling. For example, “Mood, I’m so tired of school already.”
Drip – Refers to someone’s sense of style or fashion. For example, “She’s got so much drip, I wish I could dress like her.”
Woke – Being aware of current social and political issues. For example, “She’s so woke, she’s always up to date on the latest news.”
Salty – Being upset or bitter about something. For example, “Don’t be so salty about losing, it’s just a game.”
Snatched – Used to describe something or someone that looks really good. For example, “Her makeup is so snatched, she looks amazing!”
Bae – A term of endearment for someone you’re romantically involved with. For example, “I can’t wait to see my bae tonight.”
FOMO – Fear of missing out. For example, “I didn’t want to miss the party, I had serious FOMO.”
Squad – A group of friends who hang out together. For example, “I’m going out with my squad tonight.”
Slay – To look really good or to do something really well. For example, “She’s always slaying her makeup looks.”
JOMO – Joy of missing out. For example, “I skipped the party last night and felt some serious JOMO.”
Aight – A slang version of “alright”. For example, “Aight, I’ll see you later.”
Lituation – A situation that is lit or really exciting. For example, “This party is a total lituation!”
YOLO – You only live once. For example, “Let’s do something crazy tonight, YOLO!”
Basic – Used to describe someone who is unoriginal or lacks personality. For example, “She’s so basic, she always wears the same outfit.”
Lame – Boring or uncool. For example, “This party is so lame, let’s go somewhere else.”
Shade – To throw subtle insults or criticism towards someone. For example, “She’s always throwing shade at me, it’s so annoying.”
Savage – Used to describe someone who is ruthless or brutally honest. For example, “She’s such a savage, she always tells it like it is.”
Thirsty – Desperate for attention or validation. For example, “He’s so thirsty for likes on Instagram.”
TBT – Throwback Thursday, used when posting old pictures or memories on social media. For example, “TBT to that amazing vacation we took last summer.”
Stan – To be a really big fan of someone or something. For example, “I stan Beyonce, she’s the queen.”
Ghost – To suddenly stop communicating with someone without explanation. For example, “He ghosted me after our second date.”
These are just a few of the most popular Gen Z slangs that you might hear in 2023. As the younger generation continues to create new words and phrases, it’s important to keep up with the latest terminology. Being able to communicate with younger generations is not only important for socializing, but it also helps you stay relevant in today’s world.
So next time you hear someone say “mood” or “lit”, you’ll know exactly what they mean. Keep an eye out for new Gen Z slangs, and don’t be afraid to use them yourself. Who knows, you might just start a trend.
Enoch Kenyatta is an AI content writer that crafts content using a mix of verified sources and African Folder's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to hello@africanfolder.com