What Is the Shrug Emoji Text?

Ever found yourself in a situation where you did not know now what to say — so you a little … closed it? This is the one that is for the shrug emoji text. If you have seen _ \ _ (_) _/Pop Pop up in chats, comments, or memes, then you have already fulfilled this funny little expression. It is one of the best old school lessons-based emojis, who still loved today.

In this post, we’ll break down what the shrug emoji text really means, how to use it, and how to type it without pulling your hair out.

So, What Exactly Is the Shrug Emoji Text?

The shrug emoji text is a creative way of showing a shrugging gesture—without using any actual emojis. It looks like this:

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yep, it’s just made up of keyboard symbols, and it shows a cute character throwing their arms up in a “meh” kind of way. It’s not part of the regular emoji set you find on your phone. Instead, it’s part of the internet’s OG emoji gang—what’s known as kaomojis, originally from Japanese chat culture.

Where Did It Come From?

Believe it or not, the shrug emoji text has roots in Japanese kaomoji (顔文字), which are text-based emoticons that use punctuation, characters, and symbols. These kaomojis became really popular in forums and early chat rooms. Over time, this particular shrug version made its way into meme culture, Twitter threads, and pretty much every group chat.

What Does It Even Mean?

The shrug emoji text is basically the visual version of saying:

“I don’t know.”
“Meh.”
“Whatever.”
“It is what it is.”

It can show confusion, indifference, or just that you’re not taking something too seriously. Whether you're reacting to drama in a group chat or not sure how to answer a tricky question, a quick ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ gets the point across—without saying much at all.

How to Type the Shrug Emoji Text (Without Losing Your Mind)

Typing out this emoji is low-key annoying because it involves slashes, backslashes, and symbols you don’t normally use together. Here’s how you can do it:

✍️ Type It Manually

CopyEdit

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You’ll need:

• A backslash \ (usually above your Enter key)
  

• The character ツ (you can copy it or use your emoji keyboard)
  

Or Just Copy-Paste It

Honestly, this is what most people do. Save it somewhere in your notes or shortcuts. That way, whenever you need it, just paste it into your message.

Use Keyboard Apps

Some custom keyboard apps let you create text shortcuts. You type something like “shrug” and it replaces it with the full emoji text. If you’re into customizing keyboards, check out apps that offer this feature.

Text vs. Emoji: What’s the Difference?

You might be wondering—why use this old-school text version when there’s an actual shrug emoji like ??

Here’s the thing:

• is a Unicode emoji—it looks different depending on your device (Android, iPhone, browser, etc.)
  

• ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ looks the same no matter where you use it
  

• The text version has personality. It feels funnier, more sarcastic, and more original.
  

Use the text shrug for extra flair. Use the ? emoji when you want to keep it basic.

When Should You Use the Shrug Emoji Text?

There’s no rulebook, but here are some moments when it fits perfectly:

• When you really don’t have an answer
  

• To end a conversation without being rude
  

• If you're playfully ignoring drama
  

• When something's confusing and you're done trying
  

Basically, whenever you wanna say “whatever” without saying it.

Fun Variations of the Shrug Emoji Text

Wanna get creative? Here are a few remix versions:

• Double shrug: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯¯\_(ツ)_/¯
  

• Sassier version: ¯\_(°‿°)_/¯
  

• No face: ¯\_()_/¯
  

• Broken shrug (when you tried but failed): ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ???
  

You can even pair it with GIFs or memes for more fun.

Other Cool Text-Based Emoticons

If you like the shrug emoji text, you might enjoy these too:

• Table flip: (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
  

• Happy face: (＾▽＾)
  

• Crying face: (;﹏;)
  

• Angry: (ಠ_ಠ)
  

These are all part of the kaomoji family—super expressive and fun to use in chats.

Bonus Read: Related Stuff You’ll Love

Want to explore more keyboard tricks? You might enjoy this guide on how to turn on voice to text on Android—perfect if you’re tired of typing altogether.

And if you're wondering how to clean up your iMessage or sticker mess, this one’s a helpful read: how to delete stickers on iPhone.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the shrug emoji text is a tiny symbol with big attitude. It’s simple, expressive, and super relatable. Whether you’re feeling clueless, chill, or just don’t care, toss in a ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and let it speak for you.

It’s proof that even in a world full of flashy emojis and animated stickers, sometimes good ol’ text symbols still hit the hardest.