A  Semantic Study of TikTok Post Captions from a Generation Z Language Perspective

Anjung Kinanthi Dewi

doi:10.55909/jpbs.v4i6.983

Authors

Anjung Kinanthi Dewi Prodi Magister Pendidikan Bahasa Indonesia, Universitas Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55909/jpbs.v4i6.983

Keywords:

semantic, TikTok, post caption, generation Z, language perspective

Abstract

This study emphasizes the analysis of contextual meaning in captions in TikTok posts, with a primary focus on the use of language typical of Generation Z. This study applies a descriptive qualitative method through a contextual semantic approach. Data sources were obtained from TikTok video captions that were deliberately selected based on the characteristics of the language style and frequency of use using observation guidelines as a data collection tool. The results of the study revealed that fifteen terms frequently used by Generation Z are fomo, mood, notice, kalcer, skena, vibes, denial, clingy, sus, spam, yapping, flexing, cupu, mager, and megalodon. These fifteen terms used by Generation Z have contextual meanings that cannot always be explained lexically. The discussion shows that these fifteen terms function as a means of expressing identity, emotion, and social interaction that are typical in digital communication. Therefore, TikTok captions act as a linguistic medium that reflects the creativity, performativity, and social identity of Generation Z, while also becoming a link between generations in today's digital culture.

References

Amalia, S. (2022). Perubahan Makna Leksikal Bahasa Gaul di Media Sosial. Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra, 10(1), 45–56.

Bandur, A. (2014). Penelitian Kualitatif: Metodologi, Desain, dan Teknik Analisis Data dengan NVIVO10. Jakarta: Mitra Wacana Media.

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Pendekatan Kualitatif, Kuantitatif, dan Mixed. Penerjemah: Ahmad Fawaid. Editor: Saifudin Zuhri Qudsy. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar.

Fauziah, A., Suherman, A. W., & Fatmawati. (2025). Kajian Semantik dalam Penggunaan Bahasa Gaul di Media Sosial Instagram. Cendikia Pendidikan, 16(3), 234–252. https://doi.org/10.9644/sindoro.v319.252

Ginting, S. E. P. B., Bangun, S. E. B., Sigalingging, W. C., & Sari, Y. (2025). Analisis Semantik pada Caption/Keterangan Postingan Tiktok Berdasarkan Penggunaan Bahasa Generasi Z. Jejak Digital: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 1(4), 863–870. https://doi.org/10.63822/n63m5050

Goesda, R. T. A., & Nirmawan. (2024). Analisis Bahasa pada Instagram @Lambe_Turah (Kajian Semantik). Bahterasia: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, 5(2). Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara. https://doi.org/10.33087/bahterasia.v5i2.1234

Hasyim, M. (2018). Fenomena Bahasa di Media Sosial: Antara Kreativitas dan Kekacauan. Jurnal Al-Maqayis, 6(2), 155–169

Hidayat, D. N. (2020). Makna Sosial dalam Bahasa Meme: Analisis Semantik-Pragmatik. Jurnal Semiotic, 14(1), 33–47.

Juliana, A., Nasution, F., & Fatmawati. (2025). Pergeseran Makna Istilah Viral Tiktok dalam Perspektif Semantik Kognitif. Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra, 10(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jbs.v10i1.12345

Maharani, D., Simanjuntak, H. S., Cahyani, N., Hazizah, R., & Sari, Y. (2025). Makna dalam Era Digital: Kajian Semantik terhadap Bahasa di Media Sosial Indonesia. Jejak Digital: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 1(4), 841–862. https://doi.org/10.63822/capxn478

Nofianti, H. (2020). Bahasa Gaul dan Identitas Remaja: Kajian Linguistik Kultural. Bahasa & Sastra Nusantara, 7(2), 123–138.

Pires, A. T., Tasman, J., Mendonca, O., Mali, D., Klau, M. L., & Tai, E. (2025). Penerapan Semantik dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia SMA Swasta Sinar Pancasila. Nian Tana Sikka: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa, 3(2), 95–102. https://doi.org/10.59603/niantanasikka.v3i2.734

Pateda, M. (2010). Semantik Leksikal. Jakarta: Rineka Cipta.

Razak, A. (2017). Menggapai Mixed Methods Bidang Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia. Pekanbaru: Ababil Press.

Setiowati, I., Rijal, S., & Purwanti. (2022). Penamaan pada Nama Unik Makanan di Kota Samarinda: Kajian Semantik. Ilmu Budaya: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Budaya, 6(2), 705–718. https://doi.org/10.25077/ilmu.budaya.v6i2.5788

Sugiyo, S., Aisyah, A. D., & Mubarok, Y. (2023). Penamaan Tempat Usaha di Tangerang Selatan: Kajian Semantik. Semantik, 12(2), 233–250. https://doi.org/10.22460/semantik.v12i2.233-250

Yayang, Y. I. S., & Supadi, S. (2025). Analisis Semantik dalam Penggunaan Bahasa Gaul oleh Gen Z di Media Sosial. JIIP – Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 8(1), 225-230. https://doi.org/10.54371/jiip.v8i1.6603