Finally! Snapchat Lingo Explained

POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Whether you're a Snapchat pro or a newbie, we bet you could use a refresher on the vocabulary that app requires you to know. Still confused about the difference between a filter and lens? We've broke it down for you, so keep reading to finally feel caught up with the times.

01
Snap
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Snap

This is either a photo or video you send to a friend. Once you open a Snap, you can't see it again.

02
Chat
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Chat

Swipe left on your friend's name and you'll see the chat feature. Here, you can text, video chat, call them, and send a photo from your phone's camera roll and stickers.

03
Filter
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Filter

When you take a Snap, either a photo or video, you can add a filter. This includes the time, temperature, and speed. You can also have a geofilter on your Snap, which is specific to the area where you are or you can create them for special events in your life.

04
Lenses
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Lenses

Lenses are like filters but specifically for selfies. To use them, first switch your camera to selfie mode. Then, you press down hard on your face and you should see an array of different lenses to choose from. The face swap lens is our current favorite — especially since you can use this on the rear facing camera as well.

05
Story
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Story

On Snapchat, you can send a Snap to someone or take a photo or video and make it part of your story. This means any of your friends can see it and it'll show up on their "Stories" page. You can also check out exactly who's seen your story by tapping on it and then hitting the eyeball icon.

06
Replay
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Replay

If your friend sent you a video that went by way too quick, you can quickly replay it. Just swipe right on your friend's name to go the chat page and hold down on the Snap you want to see again. Warning: you only get one free replay a day — you need to pay for any additional ones.

07
Screenshot
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Screenshot

"Did you just screenshot my Snap?" is something most people don't want to hear. Considered a faux-pas, this is when you screenshot a friend's Snap that wasn't meant to last forever. FYI: they'll get an alert if you do this.

08
Friend Emoji
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Friend Emoji

Friend emoji are a fun way to see who you're communicating with the most on Snapchat and in what ways. Some emoji mean obvious relationships like the smile. That one means this person is one of your best friends but not the ultimate one. If you see a fire emoji, it means you're on a "Snapstreak" with this person. That emoji will go away if you both don't Snap each other in a 24-hour period.

09
Stickers
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Stickers

Stickers are a new feature in chat on Snapchat. There are a lot of different fun ones to choose from and are just between you and a friend.

10
Snapcode
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Snapcode

Your Snapcode is a code that can be scanned by anyone who wants to be your friend. If you tap on the ghost in the center of your screen, you'll see the Snapcode. People can either add you by using the Snapchat camera or with a screenshot of your Snapcode in the "Add by Snapcode feature," located in the "Add Friends" section.

11
Snapcode Selfie
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Snapcode Selfie

If you really want to personalize your Snapcode, you can create a Snapcode selfie GIF. If you tap on your Snapcode, the camera will open up. Tap the circle button and five photos will be taken to create the GIF. You can change this at any time.

12
Score
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Score

No one is really sure what the Snapchat score is all about. According to Snapchat, it is "a special equation combining the number of Snaps you've sent and received, Stories you've posted, and other factors." Either way, most people tend to want to have a high score.

13
Trophy Case
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Trophy Case

On your profile screen, you can tap the icon shaped like a trophy and you'll come to your trophy case collection. Snapchat has no list available as to what each and every one of these are so you just need to keep Snapping to see what you can collect.

14
Live Stories
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Live Stories

Live Stories are a fun way Snapchat combines Snaps from either a specific location or event. You can view these Stories and submit to them as well when applicable.

15
Snapcash
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Snapcash

Send money to a friend with Snapcash. Enter your credit card info and boom, you're set to go. Only people who have also signed up for Snapcash can receive it.

16
Discover
POPSUGAR Photography | Ann-Marie Alcántara

Discover

Think of Discover like a cable subscription — except it's free. Here you'll find content from different publishers that you can view or not.

Read through it in a breeze? Consider yourself a novice until you master these Snapchat tips and tricks.