QQ

What Does QQ Mean in a Text?

QQ means "Quit," "Crying Eyes," and "Quick Question." It is also the name of a Chinese social media and messaging service. Here is more information about each of these definitions of QQ.

Quit

QQ is an emoticon which originated in the online fantasy-themed strategy game Warcraft II. Using the keystrokes ALT+Q+Q, players could immediately exit the game. QQ came to be used as an order, to tell unskilled players or those moaning about losing to "quit" the game.

Crying Eyes

Possibly as a result of its use in online gaming, QQ came to be used more widely as an emoticon meaning "crying eyes." In this context, QQ is often used to denote sadness or sympathy, but it is also used as a form of abuse for anyone deemed to be whinging or moaning.

Quick Question

QQ is also used as abbreviation to mean "Quick Question." It is a short form of QQ4U (Quick Question For You).

Chinese Social Media and Messaging App

In China, QQ (officially "Tencent QQ") is a social media and instant messaging service developed by the Chinese company Tencent, (the same company that owns WeChat).

QQ was originally just a desktop messaging app, similar to Facebook Messenger, but it is now also available as a phone app and offers services such as group and voice chat, games, music, movies, and shopping.

Other popular Chinese social media apps and services include:
  • Baidu - A search engine, online services provider, and IA company.
  • Douyin - A social media video app.
  • Weibo - A messaging app.
  • Youku - A video hosting and streaming service.

Summary of Key Points

First Definition of QQ

QQ means "Quit." This is the most common definition for QQ on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter).
QQ
Definition:Quit
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 3
3: Guessable
Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition of QQ

QQ is also used as an emoticon to represent "Crying Eyes."
QQ
Definition:Crying Eyes
Type:Emoticon
Guessability:guessability level 2
2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Third Definition of QQ

QQ also means "Quick Question."
QQ
Definition:Quick Question
Type:Icon
Guessability:guessability level 2
2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Fourth Definition of QQ

QQ is also the name of a Chinese Social Media and Messaging App.
QQ
Definition:Chinese Social Media and Messaging App
Type:Word
Guessability:guessability level 4

4: Difficult to guess

Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Image for QQ

When I write QQ, I mean this:

meaning of QQ

QQ also means "Crying Eyes" and "Quick Question." It is also the name of a Chinese social media and messaging app.

Examples of QQ in Sentences

Here are examples of QQ being used in conversations:
  • Daryl: I hate my boss! I can't carry on like this.
  • Shona: Why don't you just QQ?
  • (Here, QQ means "Quit.")
  • Nigel: It's not fair. It's always me who gets the blame.
  • Jim: QQ. So sad.
  • (Here, QQ means "Crying Eyes.")
  • Nick: QQ, what time does the match start?
  • Sarah: 6:00 pm.
  • (Here, QQ means "Quick Question.")

An Academic Look at QQ

When used with the meaning "Quit," QQ is an "internet slang term." Initially, "internet slang terms" were introduced for brevity, but, particularly with the advent of predictive texting and on-screen keyboards, they are now mostly employed for fun.

When used to represent "Crying Eyes," QQ is a textual representation of an emoji. Emojis are used to add subtle emotional emphasis to sentences.

When used with the meaning "Quick Question," QQ is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Kew Kew"). Therefore, it is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "Stop It," "Stop Moaning," or "Question For You" instead of using QQ.

Example of QQ Used in a Text

QQ
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