Lost in Translation: A Mom’s Guide to Decoding Gen Z Slang

As a mom, there are many moments when I feel out of the loop with my kids. Like when they casually discuss “rizz” or call something “mid” on the ride home from school. Am I hearing English? Did I miss a secret Gen Z dictionary drop while scrolling Pinterest for meal prep ideas? Whatever the case, I feel like an NPC (non-player character—yes, I had to Google that one) in my kids’ daily dialogues.

What Did You Just Say?

The other day, I overheard my son saying, “That’s so sus!” to his sister, who promptly replied with, “Bruh, chill.” I had to pull over and ask, “What’s sus? And who is bruh?” Cue the eye rolls.

Apparently, “sus” means suspicious, and “bruh” is a universal term of exasperation. Oh, and “chill” doesn’t actually mean to cool down—it means to relax, something I clearly needed to do after asking.

How Did We Get Here?

Gen Z slang seems like a mash-up of abbreviations, TikTok trends and random sounds. When I was a teen, we said things like “cool” and “awesome.” My kids would probably call that “cringe” now (translation: embarrassing).

There’s a word for every scenario. Did your child ace a test? That’s “slay.” Did they think the test was unfair? That’s “cap” (translation: a lie). And don’t even get me started on “yeet.” It apparently means to throw something, but context is everything—because they’ve also used it to describe excitement, shock, and who knows what else.

The Gen Z Dictionary for Confused Parents

Here’s a cheat sheet of some common Gen Z slang words and what they mean (you’re welcome!):

• Sus – Short for “suspicious” or “shady.”
  Example: “That excuse sounds sus.”
• Rizz – Charisma or charm, especially when flirting.
  Example: “He’s got mad rizz.”
• Mid – Mediocre, average, or not great.
  Example: “That movie was mid.”
• Slay – To do something exceptionally well or to look amazing.
  Example: “You slayed that outfit!”
• Cap – A lie or something untrue.
  Example: “That’s cap—you didn’t finish your homework.”
• No cap – Honestly or for real.
  Example: “This pizza is the best. No cap.”
• Yeet – To throw something with force or excitement.
  Example: “He yeeted his backpack across the room.”
• Vibe check – A way to assess someone’s mood or energy.
  Example: “That party failed the vibe check.”
• NPC – Refers to someone acting predictably, like a “non-player character” in a video game.
  Example: “That guy is such an NPC.”
• Glow-up – A major transformation for the better, usually in appearance or confidence.
  Example: “Wow, she had a glow-up over the summer!”

Trying (and Failing) to Fit In

One time, I decided to try their slang. I told my daughter, “That dinner was fire!” thinking I’d score cool mom points. She stared at me in horror and said, “Mom, please never say that again.”

I felt attacked, but I learned my lesson: their language is sacred territory. It’s their way of connecting, of expressing themselves. And maybe, just maybe, of keeping us out of their world just a little.

So, What Can We Do?

If you’re like me, feeling completely “out of pocket” (translation: not acting normal), here are some survival tips:

1. Google is your best friend. When in doubt, search it out.
2. Ask your kids. Yes, they’ll groan, but it’s a bonding opportunity—plus, you might learn something.
3. Embrace the cringe. You’ll never be fluent, but that’s okay. They secretly love that you’re trying.

Why It Matters

At the end of the day, it’s not just about understanding the words—they’re a glimpse into the ever-evolving world our kids are growing up in. Sure, I might not know what “lowkey bussin’” means today, but I do know that my kids feel seen and heard when I show interest in their world.

So, the next time you feel clueless about their slang, just remember: you’re not alone. We’re all in this together, one “vibe check” at a time.