That's Mean vs That Means: What's the Difference?

Two little phrases, one big mix-up. “That’s mean” and “that means” look and sound almost the same, but they do completely different jobs — and picking the wrong one can flip your whole message. This “that’s mean vs that means” guide sorts it out in plain English, with examples you’ll actually recognize.

The 5-second answer: “That’s mean” and “that means” sound alike but do different jobs. “That’s mean” = “that is mean,” calling something cruel or unkind. “That means” = “that indicates” or “that leads to,” explaining a result. Quick test: if you can swap in “that is unkind,” use “that’s mean” — otherwise use “that means.”

What “that’s mean” actually says

“That’s mean” is short for “that is mean.” Here, mean is an adjective — it describes something as cruel, unkind, or harsh.

You use it to react to something hurtful.

Ravi: she said your haircut looks like a mop Neha: omg that’s mean 😭

Notice the apostrophe. “That’s” = “that is.” Without it, “thats mean” reads as a typo — and it’s the exact spot where people accidentally slide into the other phrase.

Simple check: if you can replace it with “that is unkind” and the sentence still works, you want that’s mean.

What “that means” actually says

“That means” is a completely different animal. Here, means is a verb — it signals “that indicates,” “that shows,” or “that leads to.”

You use it to explain what something results in or points to.

Coach: practice got moved to 6am Dev: oh so that means i’m up at 5, cool cool

No apostrophe here. It’s “that means,” never “that’s means.” If you’re spelling out a consequence or a meaning, you want that means.

That’s mean vs that means — side by side

	That’s mean	That means
Full form	that is mean	that means (verb)
Key word	mean = adjective (unkind)	means = verb (indicate)
You use it to	react to something cruel	explain a result or meaning
Apostrophe?	yes → that’s	no → that means
Swap test	“that is unkind”	“that leads to / signifies”

Same first two words, opposite purpose. One judges; the other explains.

Why do people confuse “that’s mean” and “that means”?

A few reasons stack up:

They sound almost identical said fast. Out loud, “that’s mean” and “that means” blur together.
Texting drops the apostrophe. Once “that’s” becomes “thats,” the line between the two gets fuzzy.
The adjective-vs-verb trap. For a lot of English learners, mean (unkind) and means (to indicate) are easy to swap by accident.
Autocorrect sometimes “helpfully” changes one into the other.

The result: people type “thats mean I have to leave” when they clearly mean “that means I have to leave.” One calls something cruel; the other explains why they’re going. Totally different message.

The 5-second test to pick the right one

Stuck in the moment? Run one quick check.

Try swapping in “that is unkind.”

Still makes sense? → use that’s mean (with the apostrophe).
Doesn’t make sense? → you’re explaining a result, so use that means.

Backup check for the apostrophe: if the phrase is standing in for “that is,” it takes an apostrophe (that’s). If it’s the verb “to mean,” no apostrophe (that means).

That’s the whole trick. No grammar textbook needed.

Don’t forget “that means a lot”

Here’s the warm one people always overlook: “that means a lot.”

It doesn’t literally mean “that indicates a large amount.” It’s an emotional phrase — it means “that is really meaningful to me” or “I’m genuinely touched.”

Sana: i drove two hours just to be at your recital Priya: honestly that means a lot 🥹 thank you

Its cousin, “that means the world,” turns the warmth up even higher — “that matters to me more than almost anything.”

So when someone says “that means a lot,” don’t read it flatly. They’re not explaining a result. They’re telling you they care.

Real chats, decoded

Chat 1 — the reaction (“that’s mean”)

Leo: my brother told me my singing sounds like a dying kettle Aisha: LMAO that’s mean

Aisha is calling the joke cruel (playfully). That’s mean = that is unkind.

Chat 2 — the explanation (“that means”)

Maya: the flight got pushed to Monday Jordan: wait that means we miss the wedding??

Jordan is spelling out the consequence. That means = that leads to.

Chat 3 — the mistake

Sam: rain all weekend, game’s cancelled Dev: thats mean the tournament is off?

Dev meant “that means the tournament is off?” — a consequence, not an insult. The dropped apostrophe pushed it into the wrong phrase.

Is “that’s mean” rude or just playful?

The phrase itself isn’t rude — it’s calling out something rude. But how it lands depends on tone.

Genuinely hurt: “wow, that’s mean.” (flat, no emoji, real sting)
Joking / mock-offended: “that’s mean 😭😭” (they’re actually laughing — it’s fake outrage between friends)

Emojis and context do the deciding. Among friends, “that’s mean” is usually a lighthearted “hey!” rather than a serious accusation.

The mistakes to avoid

Typing “thats mean” for a consequence. If you’re explaining a result, it’s “that means,” with no apostrophe on “that.”
Writing “that’s means.” Doubling up is always wrong. It’s either that’s (is) or means (verb) — never both.
Reading “that means a lot” literally. It’s emotional (“I’m touched”), not a quantity.
Missing the tone on “that’s mean.” Nine times out of ten between friends it’s playful, not a real fight.

FAQ

Which is correct: “that’s mean” or “that means”?

Both are correct — they just mean different things. “That’s mean” = that is unkind; “that means” = that indicates or leads to.

What does “that’s” mean in texting?

“That’s” is short for that is or that has. In texting it’s often typed without the apostrophe as “thats,” but the meaning stays the same.

Which is correct: “means that” or “mean that”?

Both — it depends on the subject. Singular takes “means that” (it means that); I, you, we, they, and plurals take “mean that” (they mean that).

What can I say instead of “that means”?

Swap in so, which shows, in other words, that suggests, or that implies. Choose based on whether you’re explaining a result or restating an idea.

What can I say instead of “that that”?

Drop one word or use which — e.g., “I know that that book is good” becomes “I know that book is good” or “I know the book is good.”

Bottom line

“That’s mean vs that means” comes down to one question: are you judging something or explaining something? “That’s mean” calls something unkind. “That means” spells out a result. And “that means a lot” is the soft one — pure gratitude. Run the “that is unkind” swap test, mind the apostrophe, and you’ll never trip over these two again.

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That’s Mean vs That Means: What’s the Difference?