подожди, что?
podozhdi, chto?
The English phrase "wait, what?" can be expressed in Russian as подожди, что? (podozhdi, chto?)
This expression is used to show surprise or confusion when you hear something unexpected. While подожди, что? is a literal translation of the English phrase, you might find that in many contexts of confusion, Russians more naturally use the colloquial phrase в смысле? (meaning "in the sense (of)?" or "what do you mean?").
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of the English expression, where подожди means "wait" and что means "what".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be polite or are addressing more than one person, you should use the polite or plural form подождите, что?
How does it change in a sentence?
To switch from the informal to the polite or plural version, you change the verb from подожди to подождите.
How do you pronounce it?
podozhdi, chto?
When do people say it?
When you want to ask "what?" or "huh?" in a very informal setting, you can use the expression Чего?
Did you know?
- The word что is an ancient blend of two different Proto-Indo-European words, *kʷid and *tód.
- In a heated argument, saying Что?! with a rising intonation can sound much more aggressive and confrontational than the English 'What?!'
- If you are confused by the logic of a statement rather than the words themselves, the most natural response is Как это? which means 'How is that?'
Examples in context
- Подождите, что? Можете повторить, пожалуйста?Wait, what? Can you repeat that, please?
- Что ты сказал? Можешь повторить?What did you say? Can you repeat that?
- Подожди, что? Ты серьезно?Podozhdi, chto? Ty seryozno?Wait, what? Are you serious?
Example conversation
Andrei tells Maria that he won the lottery.
- Андрей AndreyМария, я выиграл в лотерею!Mariya, ya vyigral v lotereyu!Maria, I won the lottery!
- Мария MariaПодожди, что? Ты не шутишь?Podozhdi, chto? Ty ne shutish?Wait, what? You aren't joking?
- Андрей AndreyНет, это чистая правда.Net, eto chistaya pravda.No, it is the absolute truth.
- Мария MariaЯ так рада за тебя!Ya tak rada za tebya!I am so happy for you!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries что, CC BY-SA 4.0.
