CEFR A1

what

Translation

何 / どんな

Meaning 1: Questions

Used to ask for information about something, such as a person's name, an object, or an event.

物事の名前、内容、出来事などについて情報を尋ねる際に使います。

Examples

What is this?
これ何ですか？
What do you want?
何が欲しいですか？

Meaning 2: Asking for repetition

Used to ask someone to repeat what they have said.

Examples

What? I didn't hear you.
What did you say?

Meaning 3: Expressing surprise

Used to express surprise or disbelief.

Examples

What! You're leaving already?
What? That's impossible!

Meaning 4: Identifying something

Used to identify or describe something.

Examples

It was a what-if scenario.
He's a real go-getter, a do-what-it-takes kind of guy.

what (A1)

カタカナ: ワット

IPA: /wɒt/

Meaning 1: Questions

Used to ask for information about something, such as a person's name, an object, or an event.

意味: 物事の名前、内容、出来事などについて情報を尋ねる際に使います。

Examples / 例文

What is this? — これ何ですか？
What do you want? — 何が欲しいですか？
What happened? — 何があったのですか？

Meaning 2: Asking for repetition

Used to ask someone to repeat what they have said.

Examples / 例文

What? I didn't hear you.
What did you say?
What was that?

Meaning 3: Expressing surprise

Used to express surprise or disbelief.

Examples / 例文

What! You're leaving already?
What? That's impossible!
What! I can't believe it.

Meaning 4: Identifying something

Used to identify or describe something.

Examples / 例文

It was a what-if scenario.
He's a real go-getter, a do-what-it-takes kind of guy.
This is a how-to guide.

How to Use What

what about (prepositional phrase)

Used to ask for an opinion or suggestion about something. — "What about going to the park?"

what for (prepositional phrase)

Used to ask the reason or purpose of something. — "What did you buy that for?"

what if (collocation)

Used to consider a possible situation or event. — "What if it rains tomorrow?"

what's up (idiom)

A casual greeting asking how someone is or what they are doing. — "Hey, what's up?"