How to Use ChatGPT to Understand Gen Z Slang
Have you ever received a text from a grandchild that looked like a secret code? It’s hard to keep up when the younger generation seems to be speaking a whole new language every week.
ChatGPT is like a digital friend who is fluent in every language, including the latest slang. It can act as your personal translator so you never feel left out of the family group chat again.
Imagine your grandson sends a message saying your new hat is "drippy" and he’s "lowkey jealous." Instead of wondering if he’s worried about rain, you can ask your digital friend to explain it. You’ll quickly learn he actually thinks you look great and he's a little bit envious!
Step 1: Open ChatGPT on Your Device To get started, you’ll need to open the conversation window with your digital friend. This is the same place where you might ask for a recipe or help writing a thank-you note.
Go to the ChatGPT website or open the app on your phone. Look for the message box at the bottom of the screen where it says "Message ChatGPT," and tap or click inside it so you can start typing.
Step 2: Paste the Confusing Message The easiest way to get an answer is to show your digital friend exactly what was said. You don't have to guess at the spelling or try to remember every word.
Copy the text message from your phone and paste it directly into the ChatGPT message box. If you aren't sure how to copy and paste, you can simply type the specific words or phrases that confused you into the box.
Step 3: Ask for a Simple Explanation Once the slang is in the box, you need to tell your digital friend what to do with it. You want an explanation that makes sense in plain English.
Type a sentence like, "Can you explain what this message means in plain English?" or "What does 'no cap' mean in this sentence?" Press the send button, which looks like a small upward arrow, and wait just a few seconds for the reply.
Step 4: Ask for an Example of How to Reply Understanding the slang is great, but knowing how to talk back is even better. You can ask your digital friend to help you craft a response that fits your own style.
Type, "How should I reply to this without sounding like I’m trying too hard?" Your digital friend will give you a few options. This helps you stay connected with your family while still sounding like yourself.
It’s completely normal to feel a bit behind when language changes so fast. Just remember the advice from our book, AI for Boomers: start small and stay curious. You aren't going to break the internet by asking a question, and you'll likely have a good laugh with your grandkids in the process.
Think of this like a new "recipe" for communication. It might feel a bit different the first time you try it, but it gets much easier with practice. This whole process usually takes less than five minutes from start to finish.
Take one confusing word you've heard lately and ask ChatGPT to explain it to you right now.