Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Generation Alpha, made up of kids born between 2010 and 2025, has been rapidly adopting and creating its own set of slang words, leaving many parents bewildered. From skibidi, sigma, to rizz, there is many new terms used by the kids, leaving many parents confused.
Influenced by memes or viral trends content on social media like TikTok, these terms have become a staple in their everyday language. Googling the definition of the word isn’t cutting it anymore as much of the emerging slang cannot be decoded without the context of trending videos.
Here’s a look at some of the most common Gen Alpha slang words, along with their meanings and examples of how they’re used in conversation.
- Ate : Performed something exceptionally well or with style.
Example: “She really ate that dance routine.” - Basic : Referring to someone or something that is mainstream, predictable, or unoriginal.
Example: “You wear uniform to school? That’s so basic.” - Bet : Used to agree with someone or express certainty.
Example: “You’re coming to the party tonight?” “Yeah, bet.” - Beta : Used as an insult to imply someone is submissive or weak. The opposite of alpha.
Example: “Stop acting like such a beta.” - Brainrot : Becoming obsessed with something to the point it’s all you think about.
Example: “I’ve been playing that game so much, it’s giving me brainrot.” - Bussin’ : Used to describe something that is really good, especially food.
Example: “This pizza is bussin’.” - Cap : A lie or falsehood.
Example: “You got an A on that test? That’s cap.”
(Alternatively, “No cap” means “no lie.”) - Delulu : Short for “delusional,” used to describe someone who is being overly unrealistic.
Example: “Thinking he’ll text you back? You’re delulu.” - Fanum Tax : A humorous term for a tax or fee added to something unnecessarily. Popularized by Twitch streamer Fanum.
Example: “My friend took a big Fanum Tax out of my pizza when I wasn’t looking!” - GOAT : Acronym for “Greatest of All Time,” used to describe someone who is the best at something.
Example: “LeBron James is the GOAT of basketball.” - Lit : Exciting, fun, or happening.
Example: “That concert last night was lit.” - Mewing : A term referring to an exercise where you press your tongue against the roof of your mouth to improve jawline definition.
Example: “I’ve been mewing for weeks, hoping it’ll make my jawline sharper.” - No Cap : Used to emphasize that someone is telling the truth.
Example: “That party was the best ever, no cap.” - Ohio : A meme that refers to something bizarre or out of the ordinary, derived from strange viral content about the state of Ohio.
Example: “That guy’s outfit is straight out of Ohio.” - Rizz : Short for charisma, used to describe someone’s ability to charm or flirt.
Example: “He’s got serious rizz, everyone at the party was into him.” - Sigma : Refers to someone who is independent, doesn’t follow social norms, and is often considered a “lone wolf.”
Example: “He’s always doing his own thing, never follows the crowd, such a sigma.” - Simp : Someone who does too much for someone they like, often without reciprocation.
Example: “He keeps buying her gifts, but she barely talks to him. What a simp.” - Skibidi : Derived from a viral dance meme called “Skibidi Toilet,” this term represents quirky, absurd humor that’s popular with Gen Alpha. Depending on the context it can mean “cool,” “dumb,” or “bad,” or just be used as a filler word.
Example: “That video was so Skibidi.” - Sus : Short for suspicious, often used to describe someone acting shady or untrustworthy.
Example: “He’s being really sus about where he’s been all day.” - W or L : Short for “win” or “loss.” Used to quickly express if something is good (W) or bad (L).
Example: “That game was a W for sure, but the refs were an L.”
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Who Is Generation Alpha?
Generation Alpha refers to the kids born between 2010 and 2025, a group growing up immersed in technology and the digital age from the start. With social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube shaping much of their culture, it’s no surprise that their slang evolves rapidly.
The influence of memes, viral trends, and online communities creates a language that is often perplexing to older generations. As Generation Alpha continues to grow, their slang words and unique vocabulary is a window into their distinct social environment and the digital-first world they inhabit.
Understanding these Generation Alpha slang words can help bridge the generational gap, as parents and educators try to keep up with the ever-changing language of the youngest generation. From quirky dance memes to expressions of independence, these words give us insight into the playful yet complex world of Gen Alpha.
(Raidi/Agung)
