The primary reason girls (and anyone, really) use "</3" is as a visual representation of a broken heart, signifying sadness, disappointment, or heartbreak.
Here's a breakdown of why and how it's used:
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Symbolism: The characters "<" (less than), "/" (forward slash), and "3" together visually resemble a heart that is broken.
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Expressing Sadness: It's a quick and easy way to communicate that someone is feeling sad or upset about something. For example: "I didn't get the job </3"
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Replacing Words: The symbol acts as a shorthand for phrases like "heartbroken," "sad," or "disappointed."
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Context is Key: The meaning can sometimes depend on the context of the conversation. It could be used playfully or to express genuine sorrow. It is important to consider the sender's personality and your relationship with them.
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Alternatives: While </3 is common, there are other variations and emojis that serve a similar purpose (e.g., :'( , 💔).
In conclusion, "</3" is a digital shorthand for a broken heart and is widely used to express feelings of sadness or disappointment in online communication.
