STFU

What Does STFU Mean in a Text?

STFU means "Shut The F*ck Up." It's in texting as a blunt or offensive way to tell someone to stop talking or to be quiet. Because of its vulgar nature, it's considered rude or inappropriate in most social contexts. Between friends, it is often used in a lighthearted or joking manner, but sometimes indicates that the sender doesn't have a sharp comeback and is losing the argument. For example:

Sam: I only told her what you told me.
Ali: You should learn to STFU!

Terry: You can't even look him in the eye.
Lee: Yes I can! STFU!

Chris: Do you want to play GTA. I need an easy win.
Billy: STFU! I'm gonna kick your ass.

Other ways of telling someone to shut up include:

JSU - Just Shut Up.
SYF - Shut Your Face.
SYG - Shut Your Gob.
STHU - Shut The Hell Up.
SYM - Shut Your Mouth.

Video Summarizing STFU

Here's a short video explaining how to use the abbreviation STFU:

Image for STFU

When I write STFU, I mean this:

Care should be taken when using STFU!

Summary of Key Points

"Shut The F*ck Up" is, by far, the most common meaning for STFU when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

STFU
Definition:	Shut The F*ck Up
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at STFU

image for academic look, showing a teacher with a mortar board

STFU is most commonly used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., an order), meaning "Stop talking now!" It is an initialism abbreviation, as it is pronounced using its individual letters. Initialisms contrast with acronyms, which are abbreviations spoken as words.