Text Decoder
What did they mean by that?
Short texts, and the ways each could be read. Guess what was going on, then see how close you got.
What does a period at the end of a text mean?
k. if that’s what you wantNoted.Wow. Okay.Well. Okay then.+3
From Sam, your partner, after you said you’d rather stay in on Saturday
k. if that’s what you want
Possible readings
- Annoyed, and giving in
- Disappointed, and not saying so
- Busy, and happy to stay in
From Pat, your manager, after you said in a meeting that the deadline wasn’t realistic
Noted.
Possible readings
- Annoyed that you pushed back
- Busy, and agreeing
- Taking it seriously, and thinking it over
From Morgan, a coworker, after you shared the new schedule in the team chat
Wow. Okay.
Possible readings
- Hurt by something in the schedule
- Surprised, and needing a minute
- Fine, just taking it in
From your mom, after you told her you quit your job
Well. Okay then.
Possible readings
- Disappointed in you
- Worried about you
- Proud, in her own way
From Jesse, your partner, after an argument at dinner
I’m fine.
Possible readings
- Fine, really
- Hurt, and wanting you to come find them
- Angry, and wanting space
From Rowan, on your rec soccer team, after you offered to plan the end-of-season party
All good, thanks.
Possible readings
- Annoyed you offered so late
- Has it handled, and fine
- Doesn’t want your help
From Elliot, your sister-in-law, after you said you’d skip her birthday dinner
Sure.
Possible readings
- Fine with it
- Hurt, and wanting to be left alone
- Busy, and not paying attention
In an experiment, college students rated one-word text replies like “Okay” and “Sure” as less sincere when they ended with a period. The same replies in handwritten notes weren’t affected.
Got one of your own? Is this text dry?
What does an emoji on its own mean?
👍🙂🙄😢
From Chris, your brother, after you sent photos of your new apartment
👍
Possible readings
- Not that interested
- Busy, but glad for you
- Annoyed, and keeping it short
From Dana, your manager, after you asked for Friday off
🙂
Possible readings
- Yes, and busy
- Annoyed, and being polite
- Not sure yet
From Jules, your brother, after you reminded him again about the money he owes you
🙄
Possible readings
- Annoyed, and wanting you to drop it
- Joking around
- Embarrassed, and working on it
From your grandma, after you said you can’t visit this weekend
😢
Possible readings
- Sad, and hoping you’ll call
- Making you feel guilty
- A little sad, and fine
Got one of your own? What does a thumbs-up mean?
What does “lol” or “haha” mean in a text?
lolhaha sure, why notomg STOP
From Taylor, a friend, two hours after you sent a long message about your rough week
lol
Possible readings
- Not really listening
- Busy, and meaning to reply later
- Laughing with you
From Drew, a coworker, after you asked them to cover your Friday shift
haha sure, why not
Possible readings
- Annoyed, and saying yes anyway
- Happy to help out
- Not sure yet, and being polite
From Ari, a friend, after you sent five messages in a row about your crush
omg STOP
Possible readings
- Annoyed, and wanting you to stop
- Excited, and wanting more
- Embarrassed for you
Got one of your own? Is this text sarcastic?
What does “we need to talk” mean?
We need to talk tonight.Can you call me when you get a sec?are we good?Can we talk on the phone later today?+1
From Jordan, your roommate, out of the blue
We need to talk tonight.
Possible readings
- Upset about something you did
- Worried, and wanting your help
- Excited, with news to share
From Casey, a friend, at 9:40 on a weeknight
Can you call me when you get a sec?
Possible readings
- Something’s wrong
- Good news to share
- Upset with you, and wanting to talk
From Robin, a friend, the day after you canceled dinner at the last minute
are we good?
Possible readings
- Worried they did something wrong
- Upset with you about dinner
- Checking in, and fine either way
From Marley, your manager, after a tense team meeting
Can we talk on the phone later today?
Possible readings
- You’re in trouble
- Wanting to make things right
- Something routine to go over
From your dad, the morning after you borrowed his car
Hey, call me when you get a chance. It’s about the car, nothing urgent.
Possible readings
- Something’s wrong with the car
- Upset with you
- Something small to sort out
Got one of your own? What does this text mean?
What does “it’s fine” mean in a text?
Fine. Whatever you think is best.Fine. Go. Have fun.That’s fine. We’ll manage.I’ll pass this time, have fun!+2
From Riley, your sister, after you asked where to hold Mom’s birthday dinner
Fine. Whatever you think is best.
Possible readings
- Annoyed, and giving up on it
- Tired, and glad you’re deciding
- Hurt that you didn’t ask sooner
From Jamie, your partner, after you said you’d go to a friend’s birthday party without them
Fine. Go. Have fun.
Possible readings
- Upset, and letting you go anyway
- Hurt, and hoping you’ll stay
- Truly fine, and wanting you to have fun
From your mom, after you said you can’t make it home for Thanksgiving
That’s fine. We’ll manage.
Possible readings
- Disappointed, and hiding it
- Hurt, and wanting you to come
- Truly fine with it
From Devon, a friend, after you invited them to trivia night
I’ll pass this time, have fun!
Possible readings
- Not wanting to see you
- Not up for a crowd, and glad you asked
- Annoyed about last time
From Logan, a coworker, after you forgot to send the slides you’d promised
Don’t worry about it…
Possible readings
- Truly letting it go
- Annoyed, and done counting on you
- Busy, and fine
From your aunt, after you offered to drive over and keep her company on Sunday
No need to come by, I’m doing fine. Going to take a long walk and enjoy the quiet.
Possible readings
- Lonely, and not wanting to be a bother
- Truly fine, and enjoying her own company
- Hurt that you didn’t come sooner
Got one of your own? Is this text passive-aggressive?
What does it mean when they need time?
I just need some time to think.Let me sleep on it.Let’s just drop it.Gonna be quiet in here for a bit, need a few days off my phone. Nothing’s wrong, promise!+1
From Avery, your partner, after an argument about money
I just need some time to think.
Possible readings
- Pulling away from you
- Overwhelmed, and wanting to come back calmer
- Hurt, and needing space before talking
From Reese, your sister, two days after you suggested a family trip next summer
Let me sleep on it.
Possible readings
- Not interested, and being polite
- Interested, and needing to check something first
- Annoyed you planned it without her
From your dad, after you disagreed by text about holiday plans
Let’s just drop it.
Possible readings
- Done with it for good
- Hurt, and tired of arguing for tonight
- Fine, and moving on
From Sasha, a friend, in your group chat
Gonna be quiet in here for a bit, need a few days off my phone. Nothing’s wrong, promise!
Possible readings
- Upset with someone in the chat
- Truly fine, and needing a break
- Going through something they’re not ready to share
From Shay, a friend, in the middle of a heated text conversation about politics
I’m going to head out. Let’s talk about something else next time.
Possible readings
- Upset, and stepping away for now
- Bored, and moving on
- Done with the friendship
Got one of your own? What does this text mean?
Is it a joke or a dig?
I guess I’ll just do it myself then.Your call I guess.This again… I thought we said we’d wait until after the holidays to talk about it.Your loss, more candy for me 🎃+1
From Alex, your partner, after you said you’d do the dishes in the morning
I guess I’ll just do it myself then.
Possible readings
- Fed up, and wanting help
- Hurt, and feeling alone with it
- Fine, just getting it done
From Quinn, your roommate, after you asked if your partner could stay with you for a week
Your call I guess.
Possible readings
- Uneasy, and not wanting to say no
- Annoyed that you asked
- Fine with it either way
From Remy, your partner, after you brought up moving in together again
This again… I thought we said we’d wait until after the holidays to talk about it.
Possible readings
- Annoyed you keep asking
- Scared, and not sure how to say why
- Not wanting to move in
From Kit, a friend, after you said you’d skip their Halloween party
Your loss, more candy for me 🎃
Possible readings
- Joking
- Hurt you’re not coming
- Annoyed with you
From Ellis, a friend, after you posted photos from a party they weren’t invited to
Looks like fun.
Possible readings
- Happy for you
- Left out, and a little hurt
- Teasing you
Got one of your own? Is this text sarcastic?
Got a real text that could mean more than one thing?
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Every text here is a made-up Mixed Signals message. Every message, by date