No caps needed
Most texts are typed in all lowercase, even at the start of sentences. Capitals can read as effort or shouting, so they're usually saved for emphasis.
hey are you coming tonight
The Gen Z Texting & Slang Guide
A plain field guide to how people text now: the lowercase rules, the slang in everyday use, and the tone clues hidden in punctuation and emoji.
Gen Z guide
Texting and lowercase
Short and clipped
Texts skip full sentences. Fragments and quick replies are the normal default.
omw / nice
Grammar conventions
These aren't grammar mistakes. They're a separate set of rules with their own meaning, and they can flip the tone of a message entirely.
Dropped ending punctuation
Messages usually end without a period. Keeping one changes the meaning, not the grammar.
can't wait for tomorrow
The period is a tone signal
A period at the end reads as formal, final, or a little annoyed, not as correct. Two messages with the same words land differently.
ok
vs ok.
Stretching letters
Repeating a letter drags the word out and softens or exaggerates it, like sooo, goooood, or haaa.
that's sooo funny
k vs ok
A single k is short and can feel dismissive. ok, okay, or okay!! reads warmer.
k.
vs okay!
Emoji placement
Emojis set or soften the tone, and usually sit at the end of a message or stand in for words.
i'm not mad
vs i'm not mad 😅
In the second message, the emoji signals the line is light, not serious.
Glossary
Search the list by term, definition, or example.
cooked
Used up, exhausted, or done for. Context matters: saying someone cooked means they did great.
Example: I've been up since 6am, I'm cooked.
lock in
To focus, get serious, or commit to something.
Example: I'm locking in this week to finish the essay.
delulu
Delusional, out of touch with what's real or likely.
Example: Thinking you'll ace it with zero study is kinda delulu.
maxxing
Getting the most out of an area of yourself, often as a compound like looksmaxxing or studymaxxing.
Example: She's studymaxxing before finals.
rizz
Charisma, the ability to charm or attract someone.
Example: That smooth intro was pure rizz.
no cap
No lie, for real, being completely honest.
Example: That was the best pizza I've had, no cap.
bet
Agreement, meaning ok, sure, or deal.
Example: Want to grab coffee tomorrow? Bet.
slay
To do something extremely well, to succeed impressively.
Example: You absolutely slayed that presentation.
bussin
Delicious or excellent, usually about food.
Example: This burger is straight bussin.
mid
Average, mediocre, nothing special.
Example: The movie was kind of mid, not worth the hype.
sus
Suspicious, short for suspect.
Example: Why is he staring like that, that's sus.
based
Confidently holding an independent or bold view, and often being right about it.
Example: Okay, that take is actually based.
it's giving
Evokes or resembles a certain vibe or look.
Example: That whole outfit is giving main character.
main character energy
Carrying yourself as the center of your own story, confident and self-focused.
Example: She walked in with full main character energy.
situationship
A romantic or sexual connection with no clear commitment or labels.
Example: It's not a relationship, it's a situationship.
ick
A sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you were into.
Example: He chewed super loud and it gave me the ick.
touch grass
Get off the internet and get some perspective on real life.
Example: You've been online all week, go touch grass.
lowkey
Quietly, kind of, somewhat. Used to soften a statement.
Example: I lowkey love this song.
highkey
Openly, definitely, very. The opposite of lowkey.
Example: I highkey need a nap right now.
fr
For real, seriously. Used to stress that something is true.
Example: That concert was insane fr.
ngl
Not gonna lie. Signals an honest or maybe surprising opinion.
Example: Ngl I didn't see that twist coming.
iykyk
If you know, you know. Marks an inside reference only some people get.
Example: We were both there in 2016, iykyk.
npc
Non-player character. Someone seen as boring, predictable, or lacking their own opinions.
Example: He just echoes everyone else, total npc.
glow up
A big, positive change in appearance, confidence, or general life.
Example: Her glow up this year is unreal.
Tone rules
Text carries almost no vocal tone, so people build it from word choice, punctuation, and emoji. Here's what each register sounds like.
Casual
Short, lowercase, clipped replies with little punctuation. The default with friends.
sure, i'm down
Very online
Heavy on slang and abbreviations like fr, ngl, and iykyk, all lowercase and playful.
that fit is so bussin fr
Formal
Full sentences with proper capitals and punctuation, no slang. For work and people you don't know well.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your reply.
Sarcastic
Signal it with a period, an emoji, or a capped word, since text is hard to read for tone.
oh great, ANOTHER meeting today