Having a hard time understanding your Gen Z employees? Have no fear — a recent survey from e-learning platform Preply can help you wade through unfamiliar terms and confusing slang.
The generational divide in offices has never been more pronounced than it is now, with up to four generations working at a time. But with Gen Z slated to make up over 60% of the workforce in the next decade, it's important to be able to understand and communicate effectively. To avoid getting lost in translation, Preply surveyed over 1,000 working professionals to find out which buzzwords Gen Z uses the most.
The word "vibe" was ranked the most commonly used phrase by Gen Z — the term usually refers to the kind of atmosphere or overall sentiment they have for the subject they're talking about.
Read more: 'Work hard, play hard?' 10 buzzwords applicants hate to see in job postings
Other popular slang includes "no cap" (said when they're telling the truth), "bet" (when they're accepting a challenge), "lit" (when they think something is cool) and "basic" (for when they think something isn't). This compares to baby boomers' favorite phrase, which was "ducks in a row."
Preply warns older employees to be careful when trying to decipher the meaning of words they don't understand. Even buzzwords can change meanings, and sometimes Gen Z will use them ironically. For example, if a Gen Z coworker suggests that your office party is "going to be lit," it might not be a good thing, if meant sarcastically. As with all workplace jargon, it's always best to always ask before making an assumption.
See what other words you can expect to hear regularly from your Gen Z coworkers, with definitions from EBN's own resident "Gen Z expert."