What Does “ISTG” Mean and How to Use It

Social media these days has completely changed how people—especially teenagers—communicate. Whenever you open up Instagram or watch a TikTok reel, there’s always a new Gen Z slang term to keep up with. For those born before social media took over, understanding these acronyms can definitely be confusing.

Unlike newer terms like Mog, Rizz, and Mid, ISTG has actually been around for a while and is one of the most common ways to respond to messages online. To help you get comfortable with today’s slang, this article will explain what ISTG means and how to use it just like the cool kids do. So, let’s get started!

What Does ISTG Mean?

ISTG stands for “I swear to God” and is a go-to phrase that can capture almost any emotion or feeling. It’s one of those bits of slang that fit into almost any situation and make your message more lively. While you’ll often see ISTG used to show frustration, its flexibility doesn’t stop there—it’s also used to show enthusiasm, seriousness, commitment, or any intense emotion.

How To Use ISTG

Because ISTG covers so many emotions, you can use it in lots of different contexts. Whether you want to show frustration about work or convince your friends you just won the lottery, ISTG can fit right in. You can write it as either lowercase “istg” or uppercase “ISTG”—both are commonly accepted. With that covered, here are a few different ways you can use ISTG.

1. Show Annoyance With ISTG

ISTG can be used in conversations where you want to show you’re frustrated or unhappy about something. Using ISTG to show annoyance works a lot like using the word “ugh.” In fact, the two often appear together: “Ugh, ISTG why is it always raining here!!?” Here are some more examples of using ISTG when you’re annoyed:

• ISTG, I have been waiting for him for an hour.
• I can’t sleep peacefully without my neighbor blaring his electric guitar, istg!
• ISTG people are so mean… she didn’t even hold the elevator for me.

2. Show Seriousness With ISTG

Another common use for ISTG is to show that you’re serious about something and not joking. Here, ISTG works as a way to prove your point when others might have doubts. For example, saying, “ISTG, that light turned on by itself,” helps convince people of your unusual experience. Here are a few more examples:

• ISTG, I’m not even joking, I just saw a giant spaceship in the sky!
• ISTG, I just saw Kendrick and Drake hanging out at the mall.
• I just heard Sydney is dating Nate, istg!

3. Emphasize a Point With ISTG

The third way to use ISTG is to drive a point home. This is similar to showing seriousness, but instead, you’re stressing that your statement is a promise or a strong opinion. You can also use ISTG to highlight your “hot takes” or strong opinions. Here are a few examples:

• ISTG, The Weeknd is falling off.
• ISTG, Breaking Bad is such a boring show.
• ISTG, I will finish up the assignment today.
• I’ll be there on time, istg!

4. Express Your Emotions With ISTG

Unlike the examples above, you can use ISTG for almost any emotion or feeling—not just the ones we’ve talked about. You can use ISTG to show excitement, affection, amusement, and more. Here are a few examples to help you get the idea:

• ISTG, I am so pumped for The Boys Season 4!
• My new dog is so cute, ISTG!
• I just saw this meme and istg it’s the funniest thing ever!
• ISTG, this game is so addictive! I’ve been playing it for hours.

What Should You Reply to ISTG?

Your best reply to ISTG depends on the context. If someone uses ISTG to express frustration, you can show empathy with responses like, “I feel you,” or “That sounds really frustrating.” If someone’s using it to show seriousness, you might say, “Wow, really?” or “That’s intense!” to encourage them to share more details.

If ISTG is used to emphasize a point, affirm them with, “I trust you,” or “Got it, noted.” And when it’s used to show excitement or emotion, match their tone with something like, “That’s awesome!” or “Yeah, I can’t stop laughing either!” This helps keep the conversation fun and engaging.

When Should You Not Use ISTG

Since ISTG is very casual, it’s best not to use it in professional situations—like when talking to teachers, employers, or anyone you want to show extra respect. In more formal conversations, it’s usually better to avoid slang altogether.