What Does Uwu Mean? (Plus, How to Use It)

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Emoticons, e-girls, internet slang, oh my!

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Meaning

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From a Girl

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History

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Demographics

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Usage

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Related Terms

You may, at some point, have found yourself squinting at your computer screen and asking, “What in the world is an UwU smol bean?” No, it’s not just you—there’s a lot to unpack there, and we’re here to help. For the next few minutes, consider this article your humble internet ambassador-slash-translator as we guide you through the wondrous and often confounding world of web-speak. We’ll fill you in on the meaning and usage of the popular emoticon “uwu,” what it might mean when a girl sends it, where in the world wide web it came from, as well as how to use uwu and related emoticons yourself.

Things You Should Know

“Uwu” is a text-based emoticon that represents a cute, smiling, or smug face.
The uwu emoticon is often used in reaction to adorable images or other cute things.
“Uwu” can also express lighthearted smugness, self-satisfaction, or even playful bashfulness.
“Uwu culture” or “uwu girl” refers to a subculture that devotes itself to cutesy aesthetics.

Section 1 of 6:

What is “uwu?”

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UwU is a text emoticon used to express joy or smugness. Often pronounced “oo-uh” or “oo-woo,” the emoticon’s Us form closed eyes, and the W in the center makes a mouth that resembles that of an animal, such as a cat.^{[1]XResearch source} People use the symbol to say that they’re happy or content. Similarly, they may use the adorable emoticon to express a self-satisfied but good-natured smugness.^{[2]XResearch source}
- “UwU” is also sometimes known as the “happy anime face,” thanks to its prolific use in anime and anime-related communities.
- “uwu, I can’t wait to see the movie.”
- “I managed to snatch the last donut! UwU”

Section 2 of 6:

What does uwu mean from a girl?

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Girls might use “uwu” to express appreciation for something cute. Perhaps most commonly, “uwu” is used in reaction to something cute, like a photo of an adorable kitten or an especially round plushy.^{[3]XResearch source} When a girl says it in this context, she wants you to know she’s melting with cuteness overload.
- You: “Take a look at this pic of my new puppy.”
- Her: “OMG she’s so precious!! uwu”
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A girl might also use “uwu” to convey bashfulness. Among uwu’s many uses, some girls also use it to express shyness or a cute sort of sheepishness. This is often accompanied by the “👉👈” emojis, which convey a pleading or demure meekness.^{[4]XResearch source}
- “Hey, can we hang out soon? uwu 👉👈”
- “Just wanted to let you know that I think you’re kinda cute uwu”

Section 3 of 6:

Where did “uwu” come from?

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UwU may have roots in Japanese “kawaii” culture. “Kawaii” (literally “cute”) culture is, in a nutshell, a social scene centered on all things adorable–things like cute clothing, animals, or mascot characters. The subculture is known for its prolific use of various emojis and emoticons, and while nobody can say for certain it’s responsible for “uwu,” the face has found prolific use among kawaii scene members.^{[5]XResearch source}
- The term may also be related to “kaomoji,” which are emojis that utilize Japanese characters and are often considered especially cute.^{[6]XResearch source}
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UwU went viral on Tumblr in 2013, boosting its popularity. A conversation between users on the microblogging platform Tumblr showcased the emoticon, clarifying the symbol’s resemblance to a face. The conversation went viral, promoting widespread use of the emoticon on the platform and beyond.^{[7]XResearch source}
- The first recorded use of “uwu” was in a fanfiction related to the popular anime Yu-Gi-Oh, published in 2005.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Uwu was first defined on UrbanDictionary in 2012, described as “another way of typing the smiley face :3, TwT or twt. It means happy, like an anime character's face when they're overjoyed."^{[9]XResearch source}
- The face was no doubt used in chat rooms and forums long before the UrbanDictionary entry or the Tumblr post, but pinning down its exact origin is a task lost to the vast intricacies of the internet.^{[10]XResearch source}

Section 4 of 6:

Who uses “uwu?”

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UwU is often used by fandom members. While the term has slipped into the mainstream, it’s often used particularly in fandom circles—groups dedicated to following things like a TV show or a K-pop group. Here, people use uwu to express appreciation for certain characters, or just how they feel about a recent episode.^{[11]XResearch source}
- “The new BTS music video has me like uwu.”
- “When Michael professed his love on last night’s episode… uwu.”
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UwU is often used by “e-girls” or members of “hyper-cute” subcultures. An “e-girl” is an online personality fashioned after soft or cute aesthetics. “Uwu girls” are e-girls who have adopted both the emoticon and its cutesy connotations to an extreme extent, often speaking and acting with exaggerated innocence or with juvenile mannerisms perceived as cute.^{[12]XResearch source}
- The “uwu girl” is often most active on Discord, a chat room service popular among video game players.
- This subculture often veers into sexualized or otherwise mature territory.
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Others use the term facetiously or generally dislike it. Like any internet phenomena, where there are enthusiasts, there are also naysayers. Many internet users use the emoticon sarcastically, as a means to poke fun at it.^{[13]XResearch source} Others express concern that “uwu culture” might promote predatory dynamics among users via its “cute-speak” usage.^{[14]XResearch source}
- “Ugh, don’t go all uwu on me.”

Section 5 of 6:

How to Use “Uwu”

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Use “uwu” to express happiness or to say that something is adorable. The average internet denizen uses “uwu” simply to convey contentment, or to react to something positively delightful and totes adorbs.^{[15]XResearch source}
- “Had to show off my outfit because I’m looking so nice today uwu”
- “Saw the most uwu kitty on my ride to work.”
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Show your smugness with a lighthearted uwu. Another common usage for uwu is to make good fun of either your own victories or your friend’s not-too-serious defeats.^{[16]XResearch source} It’s especially handy when you’re doing or saying something fun at your friend’s expense.
- “Sorry gang, I can’t help that I keep winning. uwu”
- “I’m only this annoying because I like you so much, uwu”
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Use “uwu” to convey shyness. You might also use “uwu” to show someone that you’re a bit bashful or reserved. Not in a terribly painful or awkward way, but in a soft, unserious kind of way. This is often the case when you’re asking for something from the other person.^{[17]XResearch source}
- “Would you pretty please give me a super quick ride to the airport? uwu”
- “Which dress do you think looks cuter on me? uwu”
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Respond to uwu with a similar cutesy tone. If someone hits you with that “uwu,” they’re shifting into a playful, lighthearted gear.^{[18]XResearch source} If you’re feeling it, match that energy and play along. You don’t have to go full baby talk, but don’t be afraid to work the vibe.
- Them: “Isn’t Mittens so cute? UwU, I could just eat her up.”
- You: “Mittens is the cutest kitty I’ve ever seen! uwu”

Section 6 of 6:

Related Emoticons

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OwO A variation of the same face, but with the eyes wide open. Often used like a wide-eyed, blank stare, like when a cat is about to pounce.^{[19]XResearch source} Denotes surprise or focused attention.
- “owo What’s that smell? Steak?”
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T_T A sad face, with 2 streams of tears running toward a flat mouth. Used to indicate sadness.^{[20]XResearch source}
- Note that the similar face TwT represents tears of joy, with a cute smile.
- “I just dropped my steak T_T”
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^ - ^ Two closed, smiling eyes with a small, cute mouth. This face often accompanies cheerful messages.^{[21]XResearch source}
- “Don’t worry, you can have my steak! ^ - ^”
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–_– Two flat, closed eyes with a flat mouth. This emoticon expresses dry, anticlimactic disappointment or detachment.^{[22]XResearch source}
- “I dropped the second steak –_–”