TTYL Meaning, Examples & Use Cases By Kids

TTYL is a slang term that made waves on social media and became a common part of all conversations—what could be a better way to end a conversation, after all?

It is also one of the first slang that made most millennials wonder, “What is this?!” “Are we using abbreviations in general conversations now?”

If you're also confused when your kid mentions "TTYL" at the end of every second conversation, we get you. That's why this article explains what TTYL means and TTYL's meaning in texting, along with relevant examples.

Part 1. What Does 'TTYL' Mean

TTYL is an abbreviation or initialism that means “Talk to you later.”

This short and simple slang term has made conversations faster and more convenient to end instead of saying Talk to you later. It sounds less formal and indicates that you will talk later, adding another sentence.

The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary describes TTYL as an abbreviation used in informal conversations and defines TTYL as:

“(used when ending a message to somebody on social media, etc.) talk to you later”

You can use slang in conversations with friends and family without worrying about upsetting them or sounding rude. However, the Albuquerque Journal suggests not using slang in emails, as it may influence your impression as a professional.

It mentions:

Do not use text slang or emoticons in your email. You may have an excellent email ready to send to an employer, but the professionalism will be lost if you end it with a "TTYL" or :).

— Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, NM), 30 Jul. 2017

Now, if you wonder what does TTYL mean in texting, it's the same. Teens and adults use TTYL to say goodbye while mentioning that they will contact each other later.

Part 2. Where Does 'TTYL' Come From

TTYL is one of the oldest slang terms, popularized in the 1980s and 1990s when netizens on MSN and Yahoo! Messenger became familiar with online slang.

However, unlike terms like crunk, which are believed to come from chronic and drunk, TTYL is not thought to have any particular origin; it gained popularity as a short way to say "talk to you later" in informal communication.

However, some sources mention that TTYL might have originated from the British “Ta ta you all" in the 80s, which later transformed into "Talk to you later."

Part 3. How Kids Use "TTYL" in Everyday Conversation

TTYL is more of 2010s slang, but many kids still prefer it over 'brb' when implying goodbye and saying they will talk later. Using shorthand instead of the phrase makes typing less time-consuming and easier.

The popularity of TTYL is also attributed to how effortlessly it allows you to end a conversation without being rude or awkward. It makes it easier to say bye if something comes up and ensures you will talk to them later.

TTYL is casual slang that can be used anywhere in a sentence. Whether you want to start your sentence with TTYL and later explain why you're leaving or wish to use it in the middle or end of the sentence is a personal choice. However, you'll mostly see teenagers say TTYL at the end of the last sentence of a conversation.

Also, TTYL and TTYL have the same meaning, unlike other slang, which might have a different meaning when mentioned in lower and upper case; TTYL and TTYL refer to talking later.

3.1. Examples of "TTYL" in sentences

TTYL is a harmless slang used in texting and online communication among adults and teenagers. You might see messages on your teenager's phone like:

• “Okay, then. TTYL bro!”
• “My mom’s calling, TTYL”
• “TTYL babe, I’ll miss you!”
• “My phone’s almost out of battery, TTYL.”
• “Hey, the flight is about to take off now, TTYL.”

While it is suggested not to use TTYL in formal communication, you can say it when talking to a colleague or work buddy other than via email. For example:

• “Hey, I’m taking lunch out today; TTYL when I’m back.”
• “Yeah, I’ll TTYL about the client’s new requirements.”
• “Hope you don’t mind if I TTYL.”

3.2. Variations and related slang terms

Apart from TTYL, you might also have seen other abbreviations like Brb, Cya, G2go, and ttfn on your kid's phone. These terms are similar to TTYL’s meaning and indicate that they will talk to their friend later.

Brb: Brb means “Be right back.” It is usually used when you stop participating in an online discussion or conversation for a short time and wish to rejoin.

Ttfn: Ttfn is an initialism for “Ta ta for now.” You might have just heard it, but the term has been around since the early 1800s (the first record is from 1830). Cambridge Dictionary says, “Ta-ta for now: a way of saying goodbye at the end of an email.”

Cya: As many words got new identities, “See ya” also became “Cya” thanks to Gen-Z. It is used like we say "See you" in verbal and written communication. Sometimes, CYA means "cover your ass," used in corporate and politics.

G2go: G2go is another common slang used by teenagers, translating to “Got to go.” They use it the same way as TTYL or cya when they have to go somewhere urgently.

Some examples of these slang terms in conversations are:

• “Hey, gotta run. Cya!”
• “I just got a call, brb.”
• “Gotta do my homework, g2go ☹”
• “Don’t start playing without me, brb.”
• “Thanks for explaining; I’ll keep you updated. Ttfn.”

3.3. Social media usage and popular hashtags

Slang like TTYL is not widely used on social media posts, but teenagers and adults use it widely in social media messaging. However, you can find posts with hashtags, including TTYL and other similar ones like:

#TTYLteala

#TTYLxox

#TTYLcrew

#TTYLorho

#TTYLcult

#TTYLlipstick

#TTYLalexa

#brb

#cya

#cyaig

#ttfn

#ttfntravel

#ttfnf

Part 4. How to Talk with Your Kid about Slang

Talking to your kid about online safety can be challenging, and they might get defensive. Thus, it is important to approach them in a friendly manner so they understand that you mean their betterment only. Learning the meaning of these terms like what does TTYL stands for, makes it easy to have this conversation.

4.1. Importance of understanding teen slang

Understanding teen slang like TTYL meaning in texting can be life-changing when your growing kids and teenagers communicate with their friends on text and social media in slang. It saves you from second-guessing what they are discussing and better understanding their conversations. Teen slang is so common in their conversations that you might not be able to comprehend what they are talking about without learning popular slang. It also plays a critical role in finding out if your kids are using inappropriate language and words unsuited to their age.

4.2. Tips and examples for starting a conversation about slang with your child

Using slang like TTYL reduces the effort and time spent communicating over social media and texts and keeps you in the loop with the latest trends. If your kids use TTYL too much in their conversations, it's always good to ask them about it. While TTYL does not mean anything concerning, your kid might use it in an "inside-joke" way. Thus, discussing slang with your kid can help prevent harm, such as when using KMS frequently. Here’s how you can initiate a conversation with your kid about slang (and TTYL particularly):

• “I randomly saw you say ‘TTYL’ to Jane. What does TTYL mean in text messaging?”
• “You know, today I learned about TTYL. How much slang is even there? What's the meaning of TTYL?”
• “I see you say TTYL to your friends so often. What does it mean? Does it mean anything other than 'talk to you later'?"
• “How do you use TTYL in conversations? Just ‘talk to you later’? Do you use it to lead on a boy/ girl?”
• “Hey, I see you guys usually see TTYL to each other instead of bye or brb. Is it an inside joke? You wanna share?”

Part 5. Staying Informed About Teen Slang: Using Parental Control Apps to Monitor Your kid's Phone Activity

Now that you know TTYL's meaning, you might think, "How do I know if my child uses this slang? I never have their phone." It's okay; most parents feel the same. In such situations, a parental control app can be your best pick. Parental control apps help parents keep an eye on their kids remotely. It gives your kids a sense of space and security when you do not ask them about their whereabouts all the time. At the same time, you have their details without convincing them to share them with you.

5.1. What is Msafely

Msafely is a popular parental control application you can install on your phone and connect to your kid's phone to monitor their activities. Msafely monitors various applications, including Snapchat, WhatsApp, text messages, location, calls, and browser history. It allows you to keep an eye on your child's text messages and see the slang they use even when you do not have access to their phone.

5.2. Key features of Msafely

Msafely offers multiple features that help you monitor your kids remotely by connecting their devices to your Msafely account. The key features of Msafely include:

• Phone calls
• Photos and videos
• Text messages
• Installed apps
• WhatsApp
• Snapchat
• Line
• Instagram

Furthermore, when downloading Msafely, you can be sure about data safety and quick installation as it offers various advantages like:

• The app does not take sudden screenshots or increase the network traffic, reducing the chance of suspicion.
• No app icon appears on the targeted phone for added security.
• The control panel refreshes every few minutes to give you real-time updates and latest data.
• The data is 100% encrypted, making it safe and reliable.
• Msafely is compatible with all iOS and Android devices, including the latest versions.
• You can connect to their customer support team anytime.

5.3. Steps of using Msafely to monitor your kid's phone

Connecting the target phone to your Msafely account is incredibly easy, and the verification process takes only two minutes. You can easily connect the target device to your Msafely account without downloading the app on the target phone.

Step 1. Register your Msafely account with a valid email.

Step 2. Connect the target device.

Step 3. Start monitoring the target phone through your Msafely Control Panel.

Part 6. FAQs about TTYL

Q1. What does TTYL mean from a boy?

Whether you receive TTYL from a boy or a girl, it means 'talk to you later,' implying that they will message you back after some time.

Q2. Is TTYL flirting?

TTYL is a casual way of saying goodbye and might not necessarily indicate flirting.

Q3. What does TTYL XOXO mean?

TTYL meaning in text and social media is 'talk to you later', and xoxo is an expression for 'hugs and kisses.' So, you can use TTYL xoxo when talking to your partner.

Q4. What is TTYL in WhatsApp?

TTYL has the same meaning in WhatsApp as text. It translates to "see you later," "catch you later," or talking later again.

Q5. What is GTG?

GTG is an abbreviation for "good to go," often used in place of ‘talk to you later’ or ’be right back’ when ending a conversation to show that you’ll be back soon.

Part 7. Conclusion

TTYL is not as recent slang as others like crunk, rizz, KMS, drip, and others, but it has not yet been discovered by many. While you must monitor your kids’ language and slang use online, TTYL’s meaning is 'talk to you later' and goodby; it is typically used when ending a conversation. Besides TTYL, you might also see your kid use brb, G2go, cya, ttfn, gtg, etc., for the same purpose. While these terms are usually not concerning, you must always watch your child's use of slang to ensure they are safe. However, sometimes, kids do not appreciate parents going through their phones and checking text messages. In such situations, parental control apps like Msafely can help you monitor your child’s activity on social media and texts to ensure they are not using inappropriate language or slang that might have worrisome meanings.