The Meaning and Usage of “Real” on TikTok

You’ve probably seen the question “Are you for real?” or “Is this for real?” pop up at some point while browsing TikTok. 

But what does the word “real” mean? 

TikTok users often use the word “real” to emphasize sincerity or authenticity.

In other words, they are simply trying to find out if you’re serious.

The slang expression emphasizes that you’re sincere and not acting or putting up a false front.

However, “real” on TikTok can have a variety of meanings, depending on the language and culture in which the term is used.

“Real” on TikTok also refers to content that represents actual events or experiences.

It is also used to express a down-to-earth attitude.

However, it is often used to ask about the authenticity of a person, event, or content.

Expressions such as “keeping it real” and “being honest” are often used to promote openness and honesty.

However, “real” is not the only term.

Other terms such as “genuine,” “staying true to yourself,” and “living to be 100” have similar connotations and are also used on other social media platforms including TikTok.

The Origin of “Real”

The term “real” has its roots in broader cultural and linguistic contexts than just TikTok.

The meaning of genuine or “real” is a topic that has been explored in many different areas of pop culture, from movies to social media.

It’s just that these terms are increasingly being used by influencers and artists to reach a wider audience.

The word “real” in the sense of originality and sincerity originated in hip-hop and AAVE (African-American Vernacular English).

Hip-hop culture has often emphasized realness, keeping it real, or staying true to oneself and one’s roots. 

Over time, the usage of “real” has evolved with the rise of social media platforms like TikTok. 

Platforms like TikTok have provided a space for individuals to express themselves and showcase their authentic selves, leading to the increased use of the term in captions, comments, and conversations. 

As TikTok grew in popularity, the term became more commonplace among the platform’s younger community and users, especially those belonging to Generation Z.

Although users of TikTok in every country and city use and understand the term “real” in essentially the same ways.

In fact, “real” is one of the most common slang words used by almost all generations over social media as internet language and offline conversations.  

How to Use “Real” in Content Creation?

The usage of the term “real” while creating TikTok content can help engage with the audience better. 

Making use of these sorts of slang terms is an easy way to entice younger people to view your content. 

Creators have the option of inserting the word “real” in the captions or comments of their works to emphasize the authenticity of their work or to establish a relationship with other people.

It encourages people to talk about their own experiences, opinions, or points of view, which leads to more interesting conversations.

Say something like, “I am just going to stay real here,” or challenge your audience to “stay “real” in their own lives.

Here are some examples of how the word “real” can be used in TikTok videos and captions:

Example 1:

Caption: “No fancy editing or filters, just me being real! 💯 

#keepingitreal #authenticity”

Example 2:

Caption: “Sharing the real struggle behind this dance routine! It took countless tries, but I finally nailed it! 🙌 

#realitycheck #realjourney”

Example 3:

Caption: “Let’s talk about real beauty! It’s not about filters or perfect makeup, but embracing our unique features and loving ourselves as we are. ❤️ 

#realbeauty #selfacceptance”

Conclusion

Using the slang term “real” in content creation on social media platforms like TikTok can have several benefits. 

Most of all, as social media trends keep changing, using terms like ‘real’ would simply mean that creators are well aware of the latest social media changes. 

It will be easier for content creators to appeal to and attract a younger audience. 

Incorporating “real” emphasizes the value of being genuine and true to oneself. 

This can strengthen the creators’ online presence and help them stand out as authentic content creators.

It is essential to experiment not only with the term “real” but also with other relevant slang words and phrases that align with your content and target audience. 

Incorporating slang can enhance the content, make it more current, and resonate with the trends and language used by your audience.

To learn more about how to incorporate other slang terms into content creation, such as how to use STG on Instagram, read here.