The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use (2024)

The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use (1)Minjung Published: |Updated:

This post covers everything you need to know about the MZ Generation including its meaning.

It also includes:

  • who the MZ generation is
  • why they’re important
  • trendy new words
The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use (2)

Quick Summary

  • MZ in South Korea means Millennials plus Generation Z.
  • MZ generation is at the center of consumption and is leading trends.

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What is the MZ generation (MZ세대)?

MZ generation is a combination of Millennials and Generation Z.

Millennials are a broad category that differs depending on who you ask. Generally they include anyone born between 1980 and 1995. Gen Z covers anyone born between the mid-1990s and the early-mid 2000s.

Gen Z members are considered ‘digital natives’ who grew up surrounded by smart devices.

According to Statistics Korea, the MZ generation totals around 17.9 million as of 2019, accounting for 34.7% of the Korean population.

The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use (3)

Why is the MZ generation important in Korea?

Many Korean companies and brands try their best to read and meet the needs of the MZ generation. This is because the MZ generation is at the center of consumption and is equipped with ‘creativity, adventure and influence’. They’re also leading trends, so anything that’s popular with them will spread to others.

Especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MZ generation has been playing an important role in Korea by being more flexible in the face of change and proficient in social media, while pioneering social changes.

The MZ generation donated their talents by creating a ‘Corona Map’ to track the coronavirus outbreak. They also started the “Thank You Challenge” on Instagram for front liners and medical staff.

What are trendy new words the MZ generation uses?

Here are 11 new expressions and their explanations!

재질 (jae-jil): Literally means “material”, which can replace “feeling” or “type”. This term is somewhat vague, and an example can be “first love material (첫사랑 재질)”. BTS fans use it to mean their “first love vibe/feeling” for BTS.

군싹 (goon-ssak): A shortened form of “군침이 싹 도노 (goon-chim-ee ssak doh-noh)”, meaning “mouth-watering” in Gyeongsang-do dialect (사투리). It’s used to describe delicious food and is the equivalent of 존맛탱 (jon-mat-taeng).

쫌쫌따리 (jjom-jjom-tta-ri): It means “little by little”, like trying to collect insignificant amounts. It’s the equivalent of “티끌모아티끌”, which means “it’s still dust after collecting dust” as in “if you save pocket money, it’s still pocket money”.

머선129 (muh-sun il-ee-goo): A Gyeongsang-do dialect version of “what’s going on” or “what’s up” (무슨 일이냐 or museun irinya), mixed with numbers.

임포 (impo): A shortened Korean version of “imposter”, which originates from a traitor hiding among the crowd in the game, “Among Us”.

Whyrano: Another part of the Gyeongsang-do dialect, “wah irano (와이라노)”, of “왜 이러나 or wae ireona”, expressed in English. It means “why are you doing this?”, “what’s wrong?” or “come on”, but sounds cute and funny.

억텐 (eok-ten): Short for “forced tension (억지 텐션)”, meaning overreaction. On the contrary, real tension is called, “찐텐 or jjin-ten”.

스불재 (seu-bul-jae): An abbreviation for self-imposed disaster (스스로 불러온 재앙). It’s used to describe a situation in which one is suffering from their own choices.

주불 (ju-bul): A shortened word for “주소 불러 (juso bulleo)”, asking for an address to send a delivery package. It became common since friends can’t meet up often now and have to send gifts through parcel service.

레게노 (leh-geh-no): A new word created by misreading “legend” in Korean.

완내스 (wan-nae-seu): Abbreviation for “완전 내 스타일 (wanjeon nae seutail)”, which means “totally my type”.

The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use (4)

Interesting and unexpected consumption pattern of the MZ generation in South Korea

The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use (5)

When a restaurant/cafe owner treats a young person as a regular, such as recognizing them or giving them more “service (서비스 or Konglish for something on the house)”, the MZ generation tends to either stop visiting or decrease frequency of visits. The reason for this is they start feeling uncomfortable and prefer to be anonymous. There’s also the fact that they don’t want to feel obligated to return often.

Did we miss anything?

Koreans always create trendy new expressions.

Let us know which words you use in the comments!

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The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use (2024)

FAQs

The Meaning of MZ Generation and the Slang They Use? ›

Generation MZ or MZers are meant to more effectively describe the new consumer target that has quickly become the focus of many brands. They are similar to how the term untact marketing was coined in South Korea to refer to connecting with consumers intimately but in a safer, more convenient and era-appropriate manner.

What does the MZ generation stand for? ›

By Lee Dasom. One of every three people in the country belongs to Generation MZ, referring to millennials and Gen Z members born between 1980 and 2005, with more than half of them residing in the Seoul metropolitan area.

What does MZ mean slang? ›

Mz, Short for Muzi slang word for buddy, pal, mate.

What's the meaning of Gen Z slang? ›

The following is a list of slang that is used or popularized by Generation Z (Gen Z), generally those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s in the Western world. Generation Z slang differs from slang of prior generations. Ease of communication with the internet facilitated the rapid proliferation of Gen Z slang.

What is a MZ in Korean slang? ›

✔ MZ 세대 is a word that combines two generations: Millennials (born in 1981–1996) and Generation Z (born in 1997–2012).

What is the MZ generation culture? ›

The MZ Generation in Korea exhibits distinct spending behavior. They embrace a "Meaning-out lifestyle" and a "Flex consumption culture." They prioritize experiences, unique products, and luxury goods as a means of expressing their individuality and status.

What age group is mz? ›

Coined in South Korea, MZ Generation is a term that groups both Millennials (born in 1981-1995) and Gen Zers (1996-2012).

What does MZ title mean? ›

(US, Canada) A title used before an adult female's name or surname instead of Miss or Mrs. Wiktionary. Short form of mistress. Wiktionary.

What are the years for Gen Z? ›

Generations defined by name, birth year, and ages in 2024
GenerationsBornCurrent Ages
Gen Z1997 – 201212 – 27
Millennials1981 – 199628 – 43
Gen X1965 – 198044 – 59
Boomers II (a/k/a Generation Jones)*1955 – 196460 – 69
3 more rows
Jun 26, 2024

What is the M word slang? ›

The "M" word is a demeaning slur for a person who has dwarfism. Dwarfism is the result of a medical condition. The "M" word originates from the oppression and exploitation of people with dwarfism in "freak shows" of the mid 1800s. There are many who don't know our history and that's a shame.

What do Gen Z call their boyfriends? ›

Bae – Boyfriend or girlfriend.

What does Gen Z say instead of cool? ›

Dank- While the dictionary definition of "dank" means unpleasantly humid or damp and chilly, as slang the term refers to something else entirely. The word can be used to describe someone's level of coolness. Calling someone “dank” is the equivalent of calling them cool or great.

What does YEET mean in Gen Z slang? ›

Yeet. The Gen Z version of YOLO (you only live once). Usually exclaimed (pretty loudly) when doing something risky or throwing an item very hard (most of the time for absolutely no reason at all and with absolutely no aim).

What does mz generation mean? ›

Generation MZ or Gen MZ (MZ세대/2030世代). otherwise MZers collectively, is a pairing of two groups -- Millennials (born 1981-1995) and Generation Z (born 1996-2005) -- which the rest of the world views as separate and distinct demographic cohorts with the Internet year of 1995 or 1996 as a common divisor.

What do Korean guys call younger girls? ›

동생 (dongsaeng) means “younger sibling”. It can be used when referring to either a male or female younger than you regardless of their biological relation to you.

What generation is alpha? ›

What years are Gen Alpha? The term "Generation Alpha" was coined by Mark McCrindle, a social analyst and demographer. McCrindle defines Generation Alpha, or Gen Alpha for short, as those born from 2010 to 2024. Currently, it is the youngest generation.

What does the Z stand for in generation? ›

What does Gen Z stand for? Gen Z stands for Generation Z or Zoomer. It refers to the generation after millennial, and encompasses anyone born between 1995-2010.

Why is the new generation called Zoomers? ›

'Zoomers' denotes the younger cohort of Generation Z, recognized for their adeptness and ease with technology, mostly online platforms like Zoom. This generation embraced digital tools like Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic for virtual meetings, classes, and social interactions.

What is the Zillennial age group? ›

Birth date and age range

A 2024 Intelligence study made by PYMNTS, based on a survey of more than 3,600 U.S. consumers, defines Zillennials as those born between 1991 and 1999. Boston University sociologist Deborah Carr defines Zillennials as those born "roughly" between 1992 and 2002.

What is the Gen Z generation called? ›

Generation Z (often shortened to Gen Z), also known as Zoomers, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha.

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