¿Qué estás diciendo?
The English phrase "what are you saying?" is translated into Spanish as ¿Qué estás diciendo?
This phrase is used to ask someone to repeat or clarify the words they have just spoken. It can also be used to express disbelief or shock regarding the content of what someone has just said.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of qué (what), estás (you are) and diciendo (saying).
Which one should you use?
While ¿Qué estás diciendo? focuses on the continuous action of speaking right now, the shorter form ¿Qué dices? is a more common way to ask "what are you saying?" or "what did you say?" in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase with someone you address formally using usted, change estás to está to form ¿Qué está diciendo?
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, saying ¿Qué dices? with a rising intonation can function as a greeting similar to 'What's up?' rather than a literal question about words spoken.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you use ¿Qué estás diciendo? to express disbelief, it can sound much more confrontational or aggressive than the English 'what are you saying?'
- The word qué is a direct descendant of the Latin word quid, which was often used in Roman law and philosophy to define the essence of a thing.
Examples in context
- No te oigo bien, ¿qué estás diciendo?I can't hear you well, what are you saying?
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking in a noisy room.
- DanielMañana vamos al cine.We are going to the cinema tomorrow.
- ElenaLo siento, ¿qué estás diciendo?I'm sorry, what are you saying?
- DanielDigo que vamos al cine.I'm saying that we are going to the cinema.
- Elena¡Ah, perfecto! Me parece bien.Oh, perfect! That sounds good to me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
