What do Gen Z emojis mean? A guide to 💀💅🗿👉👈 and more

Don't understand the weird emojis your kid or Gen Z colleague keeps sending you? What's the deal with the nails, skulls and hourglasses? Euroradio is here to help!

If you've long wanted to decode confusing emojis (or ones being used in unexpected ways), we've put together a short and handy guide to Gen Z emojis just for you.

What does the "skull" emoji mean

What would you send someone if something was really funny? Maybe a laughing emoji 😂. If you're still using that one with Gen Z, congratulations — they think you're cringe — or just old.

What's trending now is sending the skull emoji 💀. But be ready for someone to send you a coffin too. All of it literally means "died laughing". Brilliant? Or just weird?

The meaning of the "cowboy" emoji

Most people would probably use this emoji when talking about cowboys or westerns. But not Gen Z…

These guys use it to mean "smiling through the pain". Why? Even they don't really know.

The meaning of the "clown" emoji

Well, the clown seems pretty straightforward. It gets sent when something very stupid has happened or when someone has said something absurd. It can also be used as self-deprecating humour — again, when the sender has done something dumb themselves.

The "thumbs up" emoji

Did a Gen Z person send you a thumbs up? That's at least reason to pause. Go back and re-read your message — maybe you said something a bit odd.

Because for Gen Z, this isn't just "great" — it's an ironic "great", which can also carry a passive-aggressive tone: "Oh, awesome! Now I failed my test because of you 👍".

"Nail polish" — what does the emoji mean

So... what's this all about? No, nobody's heading to the nail salon. Gen Z uses this emoji as a sign of confidence — like, "I've totally got this handled".

It can also convey boldness, indifference, nonchalance or composure.

The "stone face" emoji

The Easter Island statue pops up a lot as a reaction to posts on Telegram.

In short, it means confusion, indifference or being dumbstruck. It can be a reaction to a joke that just isn't funny.

Outstretched fingers

This cute little smiling emoji, in Gen Z terms, means an ironic or awkward smile.

For example, it's used in uncomfortable situations when you feel out of place or don't know what to say. Something like: "Mm, cool, I guess".

 "Eyes looking away" — the meaning of the emoji

Again, this emoji might seem totally baffling to some — but not to Gen Z. For them, it expresses intense interest or curiosity. For example: "So, what's new with you?"

The heart

Turns out even this basic emoji isn't as simple as it looks. Of course, Gen Z uses it to show affection too. But there's another meaning. In particular, it can be paired with the word "no" to soften the blow: "sorry, but no ♥".

The meaning of the "hourglass" emoji

If someone sends you this emoji — relax, nobody's clock is ticking. You can be pleased — you've just been complimented on your figure. Surprised? Think about it: don't hourglasses look like the ideal female figure? Gen Z is Gen Z.

By the way, don't be alarmed by the pregnant woman emoji either: it means you're so attractive that the person wants to have your babies. As a joke. Or maybe not.

NOTE: Some emoji have different meanings in Russian-speaking online culture.