Huh? Here’s Exactly What ‘Bruh’ Means, as Slang and More
What does Bruh mean?
Over time, language changes. From sentences in popular storybooks, novels and movie scripts to everyday dialog used between friends and family members. Sometimes words come back around from prior decades with new meanings, and other times brand new ones are developed. Because of this, if you don’t pay attention to how people from different generations are speaking and adapt it yourself, it can be tricky to know what certain things mean when it's used in a conversation. One of those words making a comeback among Gen Z is the slang term “bruh.”
If you’ve ever heard your child use it and thought to yourself, "What does ‘bruh' mean?" you’re not alone. Tons of parents have wondered the same thing. To give you more insight into this word, keep reading. We’re breaking down its definition, whether or not it’s disrespectful, how to use it in a sentence and more.
After you skim through everything, you’ll feel like you got a quick English lesson on one of the most popular terms being thrown around by tweens today. The only question left to answer will be: Are you going to start using it once you know everything there is about the slang term?
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Bruh Meaning in Slang
"Bruh” is a slang term that dates back to the 1890s and is a shortened form of “brother,” according to Dictionary.com. While it started as an informal way to address someone and was mostly used as an affectionate nickname for a friend or relative, today it’s commonly used among kids and teens as an interjection to express a variety of different emotions ranging from joy and happiness to feelings of surprise, anger or annoyance.
Are 'Bruh' and 'Bro' the Same?
“Bruh” and “Bro” are pretty interchangeable for the most part. For instance, it would make sense if someone reacted to something and said both, “Bro, what the heck?” and “Bruh, what the heck?” However, “bro” can also be used directly in a sentence, while “bruh” is used more indirectly. For example, you can say, “He’s my bro,” but you wouldn’t say, “He’s my bruh.”
Why Are Kids Saying 'Bruh'?
This slang word has gained popularity in the 2000s thanks to pop culture, the internet and social media, as it’s specifically appeared in memes and on Instagram and TikTok in reaction videos. It’s often used by kids as a replacement for words like “Wow,” “Yay” or “Seriously?”
Related: Huh? What Does 'Sus' Mean in a Text?
Is 'Bruh' Disrespectful?
The word “bruh” isn’t meant to be disrespectful. However, it can come off as rude if it’s used in a certain way. For instance, if you ask your child to do something and they respond by saying “Bruh, I don’t feel like it,” it can come off as disrespectful. It can also come off as such if your child starts to call you “bruh” instead of “Mom” or “Dad.”
If you feel like they are using it in one of those ways and are crossing the line, the best thing to do is to explain the difference to them. Because, chances are, since they are tossing it around freely within their friend groups, they probably don’t understand why it’s a big deal to refer to with that word.
11 Examples of How To Use 'Bruh'
“Bruh, can you pass me my phone?”
“Bruh, no way!”
“Bruh! That’s amazing news.”
“Good job, Bruh!”
“Bruh…”
“Bruh… Now how are we going to get home?”
“Hey, Bruh! How are you?”
“That sucks, Bruh. Sorry to hear that.”
“What the heck, Bruh?”
“But, Bruh…"
“Bruh, that’s not fair."
