B4 is a common chat abbreviation and initialism for before.
It combines the letter B (which sounds like the syllable “be”) with the number 4 (which sounds like “fore”).
Quick Example:
- “I’ll be there b4 8:00.”
- “Did you check the weather b4 leaving?”
These abbreviations or ‘cyber terms’ were invented to reduce the number of characters needed and were necessary when both the number of characters available on phones was limited as well as the amount of data available.
B4 as Vitamin
B4 might also refer to vitamin B4, a designation once given to substances such as adenine or folic acid. These substances are no longer thought to fit the definition of a vitamin so there is technically no such vitamin as vitamin B4.
How To Use B4 in Texting or Chat
B4 can be used anytime the word before would be used. The use would depend on the sense of the word before intended. There is little need to use B4 in modern communication, although it might be used in Gaming, Roblox, or other situations where very fast typing is desired.
Since in multiplayer games like Roblox, Fortnite, or Call of Duty, fast typing during active gameplay is critical. Players use B4 to coordinate actions before an event, match, or attack happens.
Examples of B4 in Gaming & Roblox:
- Coordinating Strategy: “Heal up b4 we enter the boss room.”
- Timing Attacks/Objectives: “Cap the point b4 time runs out!”
- Warning Teammates: “Get behind cover b4 he shoots!”
- Trade/Item Talk (Roblox specific): “Trade with me b4 you leave the server.”
What Does ‘inb4’ Mean in Internet Slang?
inb4 (short for “in before”) is a popular internet term used on message boards, forums, and social media. It is posted to predict a cliché response, argument, or event before it happens.
- Example: “inb4 everyone starts complaining about the new update.”
- Meaning: The poster is acknowledging a predictable reaction before others have a chance to comment.
Looking for more text slang? See more common chat abbreviations as well as other initialisms.