BFFR stands for “be f*cking for real.” This acronym is widely used online, especially on TikTok. We will explain the phrase and show different ways to use it in digital spaces. We’ll also briefly explore its roots in the African-American community and discuss its related term, BFR.

What does BFFR stand for?

BFFR is short for “be f*cking for real.” People use it to express doubt, surprise, or call out something ridiculous. While it’s popular with Gen Z, it originally comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

BFFR Meaning

BFFR stands for “Be F*cking For Real.”

IBFFR is similar to phrases like “Be serious” or “Are you for real?” People use it as a response when something seems unbelievable, shocking, doubtful, or foolish.

BFFR includes the slang “FR,” which means “for real.”

Examples:

• “No way that’s trending on Twitter right now… bffr.”
• “You ran into my brother at the airport?! Bffr.”

How to Use BFFR

Use BFFR to point out something ridiculous, suspicious, or unbelievable.

You might have seen something foolish or false on TikTok or be experiencing something that makes no sense. BFFR is a quick and straightforward way to call out a person or situation, primarily online (people don’t usually say “BFFR” in spoken conversation).

• “You’re saying Taylor Swift needs to fly from Illinois to Missouri? It’s a 30-minute drive, BFFR.”
• “I caught my partner cheating, and they’re still acting like nothing happened… bffr.”
• “This ‘easy’ chocolate chip cookie recipe asks me to separate eggs? Bffr.”

Say BFFR to show shock or surprise.  

Although people usually use it in skeptical or critical situations, it can also express disbelief or amazement.  

• “You scored 100% on your chemistry exam? BFFR!”  
• “Your TikTok post went viral? BFFR!”  

BFFR Origins

BFFR comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). 

AAVE, called Ebonics, is a dialect with a distinct history, grammar, and vocabulary. The Black community often uses it in conversation. Many AAVE terms, such as “period” and “turn up,” have been adopted by the internet and used widely.

Is it appropriate to use words like BFFR if you’re not part of the Black community? People outside the Black and AAVE community are generally discouraged from using these terms.

For more on this subject, read articles like “Kahlil Green Explores Blackness As A Social Currency” by Janice Gassam Asare and the Pratt Institute’s piece on language appropriation.

BFFR gained popularity in 2022 but had been in use earlier. 

It became widely known after a video of rapper Slump6s saying most used the slang in many TikTok videos as audio. TikTok users, especially @Khyahnextdoor, often posted the phrase in comments. 

However, people had been using BFFR before 2022, with some versions of the phrase appearing as far back as 2013. A tweet from 2009 even includes the words “be f*cking for real.”

What does BFR mean?

BFR stands for “Be For Real.”

It’s similar to BFFR but without the swear word. You can use BFR to point out when something seems ridiculous or hard to believe.
BFR also has roots in AAVE and the Black community.

Examples:

• “BFR for a second.”
• “You’re saying your cousin was in that movie? BFR.”