If you are wondering what does this mean, the answer depends on what “this” refers to in the conversation. In English, this is mainly a demonstrative word used to point to a person, thing, idea, event, message, or situation that is close to the speaker or currently being discussed.
In everyday conversation and texting, “this” can mean “this thing,” “this idea,” “this message,” “this situation,” or “the thing I am showing you.” The exact meaning usually comes from the surrounding context.
Quick Answer: What Does “This” Mean?
The word this can have several closely related meanings:
- A nearby thing: “What is this?” = What is this thing?
- An idea or situation: “This is confusing.” = This situation or idea is confusing.
- Something just mentioned: “I don’t understand this.” = I don’t understand the thing you just showed or discussed.
- Something being pointed out: “Look at this!” = Look at the thing I am showing you.
Key takeaway: The meaning of this is not always fixed. You need to look at what the speaker or writer is pointing to or discussing.
What Does “This” Mean?
This is a common English demonstrative pronoun and determiner. It helps identify a particular person, object, idea, event, or situation.
For example:
“This book is interesting.”
Here, this identifies a particular book.
When someone says:
“What does this mean?”
this usually refers to something currently visible, recently mentioned, or being discussed. It could be a word, sentence, picture, text message, behavior, decision, or situation.
Cambridge explains that this, that, these, and those are demonstratives used to point to people and things. “This” and “that” are singular, while “these” and “those” are plural.
Full Meaning in Simple Words
In simple English, this means “the particular thing, person, idea, or situation I am talking about or showing you.”
The word often connects language to something that is easy to identify from context.
For example:
- “I like this song.” → The speaker means the particular song being heard or discussed.
- “This is my phone.” → The speaker identifies a particular phone.
- “This is ridiculous.” → “This” refers to the current situation or behavior.
- “Can you explain this?” → “This” refers to something the other person can see or identify.
Oxford notes that this can refer to something close to the speaker, something already mentioned, something being shown, or a period of time connected with the present.
What Does “This” Mean in Text?
In texting, this usually has the same basic meaning as it does in spoken English. However, context becomes even more important because the reader cannot see gestures or facial expressions.
For example:
Person A: I just sent you the screenshot.
Person B: What does this mean?
Here, this probably means the information shown in the screenshot.
Another example:
Friend: “You should probably talk to him.”
You: “What does this mean?”
In this case, this could refer to the entire message or the situation being discussed.
Common Texting Uses
People may use this to refer to:
- A text message
- A screenshot
- A photo
- A word
- A sentence
- A person’s behavior
- A relationship situation
- A social media post
- A decision
- A confusing event
So, when someone asks “What does this mean?”, they are often asking you to explain something they do not understand.
What Does “This” Mean on Social Media?
On TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and other platforms, this can point to a post, video, comment, caption, trend, reaction, or situation.
For example:
“This is so funny.”
Here, this could refer to the video or image currently being viewed.
Someone might comment:
“Why is this so relatable?”
The word this points to the content in the post.
On social media, users also commonly use this to show agreement:
“THIS!”
In that context, this can mean “I strongly agree with this statement” or “This is exactly what I mean.”
The meaning is determined by context rather than by a special social-media definition.
WhatsApp Chat Example
Alex: I just got this message from my boss.
Sam: What does this mean?
Alex: I think she wants me to finish the project today.
Here, this means the message from the boss.
Another example:
Alex: sends a screenshot
Sam: What is this?
Alex: It’s the new update from the app.
Instagram DM Example
Mia: Did you see his story?
Emma: Yes. What does this mean?
Mia: I think he’s talking about our argument.
Here, this refers to the Instagram story.
Another example:
Mia: sends a screenshot
Emma: What does this mean?
Mia: It’s just a joke. Don’t worry about it.
TikTok Comment Example
User 1: This video is hilarious 😂
User 2: THIS 😭
User 3: Exactly! This is what I’ve been saying.
Here, this can express agreement with the video, comment, or idea.
The standalone comment “THIS” is informal internet language. It does not create a new dictionary meaning; instead, it emphasizes agreement with something already visible.
Real-Life Meaning and Usage
In face-to-face conversation, this is often accompanied by pointing, eye contact, gestures, or physical proximity.
Someone holding a phone might say:
“Look at this.”
The word this identifies the phone screen or whatever appears on it.
Someone discussing a problem might say:
“This is what I’m worried about.”
Here, this refers to a particular problem or concern.
The word is useful because speakers do not always need to repeat a long noun phrase. Instead of saying:
“The problem we discussed five minutes ago is difficult.”
A person might simply say:
“This is difficult.”
The context fills in the missing information.
Real-Life Situations Where “This” Is Used
You can hear this in many situations.
Everyday Conversation
“What is this?”
“Try this.”
“I don’t like this.”
“This is my favorite.”
Work
“This report needs more information.”
Here, this identifies a specific report.
School
“Can you explain this question?”
The student is referring to a particular question.
Shopping
“How much is this?”
The speaker is referring to a particular item.
Technology
“Why does this app keep crashing?”
Here, this refers to the app or the current technical problem.
Examples of “This” in Sentences
Here are several natural examples:
- “What does this mean?” — asking for an explanation of something.
- “I really like this song.” — referring to a particular song.
- “This is my new car.” — identifying something.
- “Please don’t do this again.” — referring to a particular action or behavior.
- “This looks complicated.” — referring to something currently being examined.
- “I wasn’t expecting this.” — referring to a current event or result.
- “Can you read this for me?” — referring to a piece of writing.
- “This is exactly what I needed.” — referring to something that has just been provided or discussed.
Different Contexts of “This”
The meaning stays connected to pointing or referring, but its use changes by context.
| Context | Example | Meaning |
| Casual | “Look at this!” | Something being shown |
| Academic | “This theory explains…” | A particular theory or idea |
| Professional | “This report needs changes.” | A specific report |
| Texting | “What does this mean?” | A message, image, or situation |
| Social media | “This!” | Strong agreement |
| Emotional | “I can’t believe this.” | A current situation |
| Physical | “Take this.” | A nearby object |
Origin and History of the Word
This is an old English word with roots going back to Old English. Merriam-Webster traces the pronoun to Old English forms and records its use in English for many centuries.
The basic idea has remained remarkably stable: this identifies something that is present, nearby, current, or already understood from context.
English developed related demonstratives such as that, these, and those, which help speakers distinguish between things based on number and relative distance.
Why Do People Use “This”?
People use this because it makes communication shorter and clearer when the listener already knows what is being discussed.
Instead of repeating:
“The photo you just sent me is interesting.”
A person can say:
“This is interesting.”
That saves words while still communicating the idea.
This also helps speakers direct attention toward something. For example:
“Listen to this.”
The speaker is telling the listener to focus on something that follows or is currently available.
Oxford specifically lists uses of this for showing something to someone or calling attention to it.
Emotional & Psychological Meaning Behind “This”
The word itself is generally emotionally neutral. However, the way someone uses it can reveal emotion.
Compare:
“I love this!”
with:
“I hate this.”
The word this has not changed. The emotional meaning comes from the surrounding words and the speaker’s tone.
Another example is:
“I can’t believe this.”
Depending on context, this could express excitement, shock, anger, disappointment, or surprise.
This is an important point when interpreting texts: do not judge the emotion from “this” alone. Look at the whole sentence, punctuation, emojis, and previous messages.
Tone Explanation: Formal, Informal, Slang, or Rude?
This is a standard English word. It is neither slang nor inherently rude.
It can appear in:
- Formal writing
- Academic writing
- Business communication
- Everyday speech
- Text messages
- Social media
- Casual conversations
The tone comes from the sentence around it.
For example:
“This report requires revision.”
is professional.
“This is crazy 😂”
is casual.
“THIS!!!”
is informal internet-style emphasis.
Is It Rude to Say “This”?
No. This is not normally rude or offensive.
However, the phrase containing this can sound dismissive or harsh.
For example:
“I don’t want to talk about this.”
could sound frustrated depending on the situation.
Similarly:
“Why are you doing this?”
may sound accusatory.
The problem is not the word itself. The tone comes from the complete statement, situation, and delivery.
Is “This” Positive, Negative, or Neutral?
This is neutral.
It can appear in positive, negative, or neutral sentences.
- Positive: “This is amazing!”
- Negative: “I hate this.”
- Neutral: “What is this?”
- Confused: “What does this mean?”
- Excited: “Look at this!”
- Frustrated: “Why is this happening?”
The surrounding language determines the emotional direction.
When to Use “This”
Use this when the person or thing you are referring to is clear from the context.
It works especially well when:
- You are pointing to something nearby.
- You are referring to something currently happening.
- You are discussing something just mentioned.
- You are showing someone an object or message.
- You want to avoid repeating a noun.
For example:
“I read your email. This makes sense.”
The reader understands that this refers to the information in the email.
When NOT to Use “This”
Avoid using this when your reader cannot tell what it refers to.
For example:
“This caused a major problem.”
If you have discussed several different things, the reader may ask:
“What caused the problem?”
In professional and academic writing, be especially careful with unclear references. If the meaning could be misunderstood, replace this with a specific noun.
Instead of:
“This shows that sales are falling.”
write:
“The latest sales report shows that sales are falling.”
The second version is more precise.
Situations Where You Should Avoid Using This Word Alone
Using this by itself is fine when the context is obvious.
But if someone asks:
“What happened?”
and you answer:
“This.”
without pointing to anything, the other person may not understand.
Likewise, in an academic paper, vague references can make an argument harder to follow.
Expert tip: If a reader could reasonably ask “this what?”, your sentence probably needs a more specific noun.
Comparison: “This” vs. Similar Terms
| Term | Meaning | Usage | Key Difference |
| This | A particular nearby/current thing or idea | “This is mine.” | Usually points to something close or current |
| That | A particular thing farther away or previously identified | “That is yours.” | Often creates more distance |
| It | Refers to an identified thing, situation, or idea | “It is broken.” | Usually refers back rather than pointing something out |
| These | More than one nearby/current thing | “These are mine.” | Plural form of “this” |
Cambridge describes this, that, these, and those as demonstratives and distinguishes them by number and typical relationship to the speaker or writer.
Variations and Related Uses of “This”
There are several common forms and expressions involving this:
- This — one particular thing or idea.
- These — plural form referring to multiple things.
- This one — emphasizes a particular choice.
- This way — refers to a particular method or direction.
- This time — refers to the current or specified occasion.
- This moment — refers to the current point in time.
- This is — commonly used to identify or explain something.
- This means — introduces an explanation.
- This one — distinguishes one item from others.
- This and that — refers informally to various things or topics.
These expressions are normal parts of English rather than separate slang meanings.
How to Respond When Someone Says “What Does This Mean?”
If someone asks you “What does this mean?”, your best response depends on the situation.
Casual Replies
- “It means they’re probably joking.”
- “It basically means they agree.”
- “They’re talking about the situation we discussed.”
- “I think they’re saying they’re upset.”
Funny Replies
- “Honestly, I have no idea 😂”
- “Your guess is as good as mine.”
- “Let me investigate 🕵️.”
- “I need a translator for this one.”
Professional or Mature Replies
- “It appears to mean that the project needs additional changes.”
- “Based on the context, I think they are asking for clarification.”
- “The message seems to indicate that the deadline has changed.”
- “I would need more context to interpret it accurately.”
USA and Western Usage
In American English, this is extremely common in everyday speech and writing.
Americans use it to refer to physical objects:
“What is this?”
They also use it for ideas and situations:
“This is a serious problem.”
And they use it heavily in digital communication:
“What does this mean?”
“Look at this.”
“This is so funny.”
There is no special American slang meaning that changes the basic definition.
Global and Internet Usage Differences
The basic meaning of this remains similar across standard varieties of English.
However, internet culture has created expressive uses such as:
“THIS.”
or
“THIS!!!”
A standalone “THIS” often means:
“I strongly agree with what was just said.”
The use is especially common in comments and online discussions. It is an informal communication style rather than a completely different grammatical meaning.
A Simple Decision Guide
If you see this in a sentence and are unsure what it means, use this quick method:
Ask: What is the speaker pointing to?
↓
A physical object?
→ “This” probably refers to that object.
↓
A message, photo, or post?
→ “This” probably refers to that content.
↓
An idea or statement?
→ “This” probably refers to the idea.
↓
A situation or event?
→ “This” probably means the current situation.
↓
Nothing is clear?
→ Ask for more context.
This method is more reliable than trying to assign one fixed definition to the word.
Common Misunderstandings About “This”
“This” Does Not Always Mean a Physical Object
It can refer to an abstract idea:
“This is a bad decision.”
Here, this refers to the decision, not an object.
“This” Does Not Automatically Mean Something Positive
“This is amazing!”
is positive, but:
“This is terrible.”
is negative.
The surrounding words create the emotion.
“This” Is Not Internet Slang
Although “THIS!” is common online, the word itself is standard English.
Context Matters Most
The same sentence can have different meanings depending on what was discussed before it.
That is why “What does this mean?” cannot always be answered without seeing the message, image, sentence, or situation being referenced.
FAQs About “This”
What does “this” mean in simple English?
This points to or identifies a particular person, thing, idea, event, or situation that is close, current, or already understood from context.
What does “what does this mean?” mean?
It means “Can you explain the meaning of this thing, message, statement, or situation?”
What does “this” mean in texting?
In texting, this usually refers to a message, photo, screenshot, statement, situation, or idea that is currently being discussed.
What does “THIS” mean on social media?
When someone comments “THIS!”, they usually mean “I strongly agree with this” or “This expresses exactly what I think.”
Is “this” a slang word?
No. This is a standard English demonstrative pronoun and determiner. Its use as “THIS!” online is an informal style of emphasis.
Is “this” rude?
No. The word itself is neutral. However, certain sentences containing this can sound rude, angry, or dismissive depending on tone and context.
What is the difference between “this” and “that”?
This commonly points to something closer, more immediate, or currently under discussion, while that often points to something more distant or previously identified.
Key Takeaways
- This is a standard English demonstrative word.
- It can refer to a physical object, person, idea, message, event, or situation.
- In texting, this often refers to something recently sent or discussed.
- On social media, “THIS!” can express strong agreement.
- The word itself is neutral, not rude or offensive.
- Context determines exactly what this refers to.
- If the reference is unclear, ask for more information instead of guessing.
References
- Merriam-Webster: “this” — Dictionary definition and word history.
- Cambridge Dictionary: “this, that, these, those” — Grammar guidance on demonstratives and their uses.
- Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary: “this” — American/learner-focused explanations and examples.
- Oxford: Demonstrative Pronouns — Guidance on this, that, these, and those.
Conclusion
So, what does this mean? Most often, this points to a particular thing, person, idea, message, or situation that is close, current, being shown, or already understood from context. It is one of the most common words in English and works in casual conversations, professional writing, academic language, texting, and social media.
The most important thing to remember is that “this” does not have one fixed object as its meaning. Its reference changes with the situation. If someone says “What does this mean?”, look at what they are pointing to, showing you, or discussing. That context usually gives you the answer
James Walker is a passionate writer, dream analyst, and content creator who specializes in uncovering the deeper meanings behind everyday experiences, symbols, and dreams. As a featured author on meaniings.com, he is dedicated to helping readers understand hidden messages within their subconscious and guiding them toward clarity, purpose, and self-discovery.
With a strong interest in psychology, spirituality, and real-life storytelling, James blends research with relatable insights to create engaging and easy-to-understand content. His writing focuses on dream meanings, symbolism, emotional awareness, and personal growth—making complex ideas simple for readers from all backgrounds.
James Walker began his writing journey with a desire to share meaningful stories and life lessons inspired by real experiences. Like many inspirational writers, he believes that every dream and life situation carries a message worth exploring. His work aims to educate, inspire, and empower readers to better understand themselves and the world around them.
Over time, his thoughtful approach and engaging style have helped him build a loyal readership. He continues to contribute valuable content that aligns with the mission of meaniings.com—to provide accurate, insightful, and helpful interpretations.
Notable Works by James Walker:
Growing Up with Jessica: A True Story (inspirational real-life journey)
Dream Symbols and Their Hidden Meanings
The Power of Dreams: Understanding Your Inner Mind