What it means
A one-character chat reply shortened from りょ (itself a shortening of 了解). It means “got it,” but its extreme brevity can sound curt. It is safest with friends who already share this text-message style, especially for simple plans.
How to use it
Use it as a very casual acknowledgment in a familiar chat, such as confirming a meeting time. Because it gives little warmth or detail, it can seem dismissive when someone needs reassurance or a careful answer. Add a follow-up like 助かる！ when you want a friendlier tone; use 了解しました or わかりました in polite settings.
Examples in conversation
Where it comes from
The written reply is commonly described as 了解 → りょ → り. ITmedia documented り as a further shortening of りょ in an August 2016 explainer, and a 2023 linguistics conference paper lists both りょ and り as concise acknowledgments. It is established internet shorthand rather than evidence of a new current trend.
Related slang
Further reading
We use references to check meaning and background. Examples on this page are original.