Gen Z slang words and phrases of 2024

Last updated on Tuesday, 25/03/2025

Slang words have become integral to modern communication, especially among younger generations. Terms like "Aura Points," "Rizz," and "Mid," bridged the digital and real worlds, spreading through memes and social media.

A study done by Trinity College London found that “80% of Gen Z students acquire a significant proportion of their language skills from watching social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram”. This vibrant lexicon not only reflects the influence of global trends but also highlights how social media and popular culture are shaping the linguistic landscape for young Europeans to express identity and humour​ through slang words and phrases. Let’s break down some of these terms that “popped off” in recent years in Europe to help you better understand your Gen Z “fam”.

“Rizz”
Derived from the word ‘charisma’, rizz simply refers to being able to charm someone (aka to “rizz them up”). If someone has rizz, they are able to successfully flirt with others with ease. They are usually quite confident and know how to use their words to get someone or something that they want. Appearance doesn’t necessarily play a role in having this quality, though it can sometimes help, it is more of an abstract concept that is dependent on the outcome and if someone can get what they want through smooth talking, that person has “rizz”.

“Aura”
If someone is described as having “aura”, it means they have a particular energy about them. They exude a distinctive atmosphere or quality through actions that could be considered cool or respectable. “Aura points” refer to arbitrary ‘points’ won for particular behaviours such as scoring a goal for your team in football, helping someone in need, or even just being confident. Even if you don’t fully understand the concept, just know that having aura is always a good thing (unless someone explicitly says you have “negative aura” or -100 “aura points”, then it’s pretty straightforward).

“Very demure, very mindful”
This term notably originated from a TikTok video uploaded by beauty influencer Jools Lebron, who demonstrates a simple makeup look fit for the workplace, which she describes as “Very demure, very mindful”. The trend then took off to describe anything that appears ‘modest’ or ‘professional’, basically being mindful of your appearance and behaviour in a particular setting.

“Aesthetic”
For something to be “aesthetic”, it is pleasing to look at, or it’s simply beautiful. While beauty is subjective, there are plenty of different aesthetics (which can also be thought of as different styles) depending on what someone finds pleasing. For example, if something has a “minimalist aesthetic", it reflects the qualities of the ‘minimalist’ style which, as the name suggests, is a very simple, clean look that is typically applied to fashion or interior design. The “Y2K aesthetic” refers to styles trendy from the late 90s-early 2000s. These different aesthetics can be associated with clothing, interior design, or a general feeling a particular image or setting evokes.

“Delulu”
If someone is “delulu” they are delusional, holding unrealistic beliefs or fantasies. This word is often tied to the phrase “delulu is the solulu” which suggests that sometimes being delusional is the solution to our problems, convincing yourself of something so “outlandish” that you start to believe it’s real. Also commonly used to call someone crazy, for example, if you’re seeing red flags in your relationships and choosing to ignore them, you are being “delulu”.

“(No) cap”
If you suspect someone is lying, then they are “capping”. Saying “cap” to someone is a way to express disbelief in their statement. On the other hand, “no cap” could be used to emphasise your statement and express that you are telling the truth. For example, if your friend insists they’ve seen Stromae on their university campus you could say “cap”, then they’d respond with “no cap” to emphasise the seriousness and truthfulness of their statement.

“Cringe”
Have you ever had a moment of secondhand embarrassment so strong you felt it in your bones? Then what you were experiencing was “cringe”. Anything considered awkward or embarrassing can be referred to as “cringe”. Something cringe may also cause you to recoil in disgust or embarrassment; it is so bad you can physically feel it. This term is really open to interpretation as what others may find cringe, you may not.

“Fam”
Your “fam” is your family, and not just in the literal sense. It can also be used to describe your close friends, expressing a sense of familiarity with a group of people. A new expression that incorporates the use of the word is “in da clurb, we all fam” or ‘in the club we are all family’. Your ‘fam’ can be any group of people you feel particularly tied to in a sense of community. For example, if you go on an Erasmus journey and form a new group of friends with people coming from all kinds of different places, they can be considered your “Erasmus fam”.

“Flex”
If there is something you are proud of and want to show off, you can “flex” it. Flexing is the act of bragging about something, whether it is worth showing off or not. This is also where the phrase “weird flex, but ok” comes from. If someone is unimpressed or finds your flex strange, they may hit you with this phrase.

“Karen”
Ever been shopping or dining at a restaurant and heard someone demand to “speak to the manager”? Is this particular person behaving in a way that feels entitled or demanding? Then, what you have encountered is a “Karen”. This slang word has evolved in its exact definition over the years, although it is most commonly used to describe someone exhibiting this kind of behaviour, anyone who is being obnoxious and using their privilege to get what they want or to police other peoples’ behaviour.

“Mid”
If something or someone is “mid” it is mediocre or low quality, essentially nothing to brag about. This is a matter of opinion, as what you consider to be “mid” can be totally different to someone else. For example, if someone were to say “chocolate ice cream is mid”, they are not necessarily a fan of this particular ice cream flavour, it’s plain, simple, nothing impressive, therefore it is “mid”. Although then again, many people are certainly fans of the flavour and would argue otherwise, to them it is not “mid”. 

“Slay”
An adjective most commonly used when describing fashion, music, or artistic expression, if something or someone is “slay” it is exceptionally impressive. To slay something also has an alternative meaning as before the slang term emerged, “slay” meant to kill. Although technically, if someone is wearing an impressive outfit, you could say they are “slaying” or they are “killing it”, another slang term which in the non-literal sense is just a compliment to suggest the impressiveness of the situation.

“Sus”
Short for suspicious, if you feel as though someone or something is untrustworthy, it is “sus”. This applies to things that may seem too good to be true. For example, let’s say you spilt tea all over your laptop and are looking online to buy one second-hand. You notice someone offering a brand new, high-end laptop for 50€, now that’s “sus” and probably not a risk worth taking.

“Hits different”
Your first day of Erasmus in a new city, the sun in Brussels on a winter’s day, or being able to enjoy that first cup of coffee in the morning when you’re not in a rush, these are all things that just “hit different”. If something stands out from your usual, routine experiences making the situation particularly memorable or significant, you can say it “hits different”. This expression is a feeling that can be used to describe anything that leaves a good impression on you, leaving you feeling satisfied and smiling. For example, as the sun can hardly be seen in Brussels, when you do notice that patch of sunlight on your morning commute, it “hits different” leaving you with an overall pleasant feeling.

There are of course many more slang words and phrases beyond this extensive list, though it goes to show just how impactful and widespread the reach of social media truly is. Though these terms originate primarily from English-speaking countries, their influence is seen in European countries as no matter the language spoken, many are able to recognise and incorporate them into their daily lexicon.

Written by Eurodesk Brussels Link