Stepping away from the chat briefly.
How to use it
Classic chatroom etiquette — tells the stranger you’re not ghosting them.
Examples
- brb door
- back!
Chat slang
What does BRB mean?
BRB
stands for “Be Right Back”
Stranger: brb charger dying
You: go go
Stranger: back
You: wb. we were debating pineapple on pizza
Where it comes from
“Be right back”, from the chatrooms and instant messengers of the 1990s, where stepping away without saying anything meant a conversation died.
Is it friendly or rude?
Polite and considerate. It tells the other person you are coming back, so they do not assume they have been ghosted.
Spellings and variations
BRB is often answered with “k” or “ok”, and returning is announced with “back” or “bk”, to which the other person may reply “wb” (welcome back). “bbl” (be back later) is for longer breaks, and “brt” (be right there) means you are on your way somewhere.
Common mistakes
In random chat a partner who waits too long often moves on, so BRB works best for genuinely short breaks. Saying brb and never coming back is a gentler form of ghosting; if you are not sure you will return, “gtg” is more honest. Do not expect a stranger to wait ten minutes.
How to reply to “brb”
- Just hold: “take your time”.
- “👍” is a complete reply here.
Questions about BRB
How long is brb?
There is no fixed time, but usually a few minutes. For anything longer, “gtg” or “afk for a bit” is clearer.
What is the difference between brb and afk?
BRB promises a quick return. AFK (away from keyboard) just says you are not there right now, with no time attached.
Related slang
More in Chat Slang Decoded and random chat etiquette.
Try it: use “brb” on a real stranger
hey! quick warning, i might brb for a sec
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