English can be tricky. Two phrases that look almost identical—“That’s mean” and “That means”—can confuse even advanced learners.
Use the wrong one, and you could accidentally sound rude, unclear, or just plain awkward.
Don’t worry! This guide will help you understand the difference, use each phrase correctly, and never mix them up again.
Understanding the Core Difference
The key difference between “That’s mean” and “That means” lies in function and context.
| Phrase | Function | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| That’s mean | Describes unkind behavior or action | Emotional, negative, sometimes sarcastic | “You didn’t invite me to the party? That’s mean!” |
| That means | Explains a conclusion, clarification, or result | Neutral, informative | “It’s raining, that means we can’t go to the park today.” |
In short: “That’s mean” talks about how someone behaves, and “That means” explains consequences or logic.
Understanding context is crucial. While one expresses feelings, the other conveys information.
“That’s Mean” Explained
Literal and Figurative Meaning
“That’s mean” usually refers to an action or comment that is unkind, cruel, or unfair. For example:
- Literal: “You ate the last slice of cake? That’s mean!”
- Figurative (sarcastic/playful): “Oh, you beat me in the game again? That’s mean!”
Even playful teasing can count as “mean,” but tone is everything. A laugh or wink can turn a negative statement into a joke.
Emotional and Social Context
“That’s mean” often carries an emotional charge. It expresses hurt, surprise, or mild anger. Socially, it appears in:
- Friend groups: teasing, jokes, or minor annoyances
- School: children or teens reacting to unfair treatment
- Workplace: mild complaints about colleagues or instructions
For example:
“You told everyone my secret? That’s mean!”
Here, the speaker feels emotionally affected, not just making an observation.
Positive, Humorous, or Sarcastic Uses
Not all “mean” statements are serious. Sometimes, people use them playfully or sarcastically. For example:
- “You finished the puzzle before me? That’s mean!”
- “You made me laugh so hard I cried? That’s mean—in a good way!”
The key is tone. Pay attention to how the speaker says it.
Common Situations & Quick Recognition
Here are frequent contexts for “That’s mean”:
- Sibling teasing: “You took my toy? That’s mean!”
- Friend jokes: “You beat me in the game? That’s mean!”
- Criticism: “You gave me only 5 points on my project? That’s mean.”
Mini-dialogue example:
- A: “I hid your pen as a joke.”
- B: “Hey! That’s mean.”
Even in short interactions, tone and emotion reveal the meaning.
“That Means” Explained
Definition and Core Function
“That means” signals a logical conclusion or explanation. It answers the unspoken question: “What does this imply?”
For example:
- “It’s dark outside, that means we should bring a flashlight.”
- “She’s allergic to peanuts, that means she can’t eat the cookies.”
Here, the phrase connects cause and effect, not emotions.
Everyday Uses
You’ll hear “that means” in daily life, instructions, and explanations:
- Giving advice: “You missed the bus, that means you’ll be late.”
- Rules: “No food in the lab, that means no snacks here.”
- Planning: “We have a meeting at 3 PM, that means we need to leave by 2:30.”
It’s a versatile phrase that helps clarify outcomes.
Signal Words and Phrases That Often Follow
Certain words often come after “that means,” such as:
- You have to… – “You didn’t submit the form, that means you have to redo it.”
- We need to… – “The store closes early, that means we need to shop now.”
- It implies… – “He didn’t respond, that means he’s busy.”
Recognizing these patterns helps learners predict the meaning and structure.
Pronunciation and Grammar Notes
- Pronounce clearly: /ðæts miːnz/
- Common mistake: using “that mean” (without “s”) instead of “that means”
- Always use singular verb “means”, even if talking about plural situations
Side-by-Side Usage Examples
| Context | That’s Mean | That Means |
|---|---|---|
| Friend teasing | “You took my last cookie? That’s mean!” | “You didn’t tell me there were no cookies left, that means I’ll have to buy some.” |
| Rules | “Giving low scores on purpose? That’s mean.” | “The exam starts at 9, that means we have to arrive by 8:45.” |
| Games | “You always win! That’s mean!” | “You scored the highest, that means you get the prize.” |
| Sarcasm | “You made me run 5 miles? That’s mean!” | “You skipped training, that means you won’t be ready for the race.” |
Tables like this make it easy to see the difference at a glance.
Related Phrases and Confusing Alternatives
Alternatives to “That’s Mean”
- That’s cruel – stronger, harsher tone
- That’s harsh – less playful, serious
- How unkind – formal, polite alternative
Quick tip: If you want to soften criticism, use a lighter phrase like “That’s not very nice.”
Alternatives to “That Means”
- This implies – formal, often in writing
- Which indicates – for logical or analytical explanations
- So… – casual, conversational link
Example:
“You didn’t submit your work, which indicates you missed the deadline.”
These alternatives can fit different tones without confusing the learner.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
Even advanced learners mix up these phrases. Common errors include:
- Saying “That means” when describing an unkind action
- Wrong: “You didn’t invite me, that means!”
- Correct: “You didn’t invite me, that’s mean!”
- Dropping the “s” in “means”
- Wrong: “That mean we have to wait?”
- Correct: “That means we have to wait.”
- Misreading sarcasm as literal meaning
- Using “that’s mean” in neutral explanations
Why mistakes happen:
- Similar spelling
- Lack of tone awareness
- Direct translation from other languages
Practical Tips for Quick Decision-Making
Mini checklist to remember the difference:
- Ask yourself: Am I describing behavior (emotion) or explaining logic (information)?
- Tone test: Is it angry/sad/teasing? → “That’s mean”
- Logic test: Does it show result, rule, or consequence? → “That means”
Mnemonic device:
- Mean = Mean behavior (emotion)
- Means = Method or result (logic)
This trick helps learners choose instantly without hesitation.
Case Study: Real-Life Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends planning a weekend outing
- A: “I can’t come to the park tomorrow.”
- B: “Oh, that’s mean! I was looking forward to it.”
- A: “Sorry, it’s raining.”
- B: “That means we’ll have to stay inside. Maybe watch a movie?”
Analysis:
- First “that’s mean” expresses disappointment and emotion.
- Second “that means” connects the situation (rain) to the consequence (indoor plan).
This example shows how the same phrases appear naturally in conversation.
FAQs
What does “That’s mean” mean?
It describes unkind or hurtful behavior, often emotional or sarcastic.
What does “That means” mean?
It shows a logical conclusion, result, or explanation.
How do I know when to use “That’s mean” vs “That means”?
Ask yourself: Are you describing emotions (mean) or clarifying information (means)?
Is “That’s mean” always negative?
Mostly yes, but it can be playful or sarcastic depending on tone.
What are alternatives to “That means”?
“This implies,” “which indicates,” and “so…” are common alternatives.
Conclusion
Understanding “That’s Mean vs That Means” comes down to context, tone, and function. One phrase describes emotions, while the other explains logic.
By practicing real-life examples, using mnemonics, and following the mini checklist, you’ll quickly master the difference.
Pay attention to tone and context, and soon you’ll use both phrases naturally—never confusing them again.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
